“And if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…that we may also be glorified together.” – Romans 8:17 (NKJV)
The gift of God to all who are born from above into the family of God is that we become God’s very own children. We are elevated into the irrevocable position of children of God by His grace simply because we choose to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Because of our positional status in Him, we are given a further unmerited glorious gift of grace – we are elevated into the position of co-heir with the Messiah, fellow heir with Christ, joint-heir with Jesus; sharing God’s immeasurable rich inheritance with His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, Who Himself is one with the Father and equal in every detail with God. Our Lord Jesus Christ loves us so much that He died for us.
Jesus warned us that just as He was despised and rejected by men, we too would have to face difficulties and severe trials, we too will share in His suffering, for because of our new birth, we are eternally identified with our Lord in all things. Indeed, if we share in His sufferings, then we may also share in His glory.
Note the following:
- Our spiritual position is a guarantee of our heredity (Romans 8:16-17).
- Christians’ assurance always involves positional truth. Christ is the heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2).
- Since heirship is based on sonship and we are identified with Christ in His heirship, this positional heirship demands that the Christian has eternal life (Titus 3:7).
- Heirship means that believers share the destiny of Christ (Ephesians 1:11).
- This heirship is based on election (Hebrews 9:15) and grace (Galatians 3:29).
- Heirship results in eternal security (1 Peter 1:4-5).
- The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the down payment for the inheritance of that eternal life (Ephesians 1:13-14).
When we believed, friends, we were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, guaranteeing our inheritance once we remain in Christ.
Prayer
Loving Father, thank You for the many free gifts that have been poured over me without measure, simply because I trusted in Jesus as my Saviour. Sometimes, I feel I should do something to deserve Your favour, but that would not be grace. So, in humility of heart, I simply thank You for Your free gift of grace that is given to me and to all who trust Jesus as Saviour. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read: Genesis 17:7; Psalm 16:5-6
Bible Reading Guide:Psalm 119:41-48; 1 Timothy 1; Jeremiah 32:26-44; Jeremiah 33; Jeremiah 34