Read
Romans 8:1-17 (NIV)
Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. V.17
Reflect
In a number of African countries adoption is a foreign thought, however, to have a child of my brother or sister living with me is totally normal. One day as I explained the adoption of our children into our family, I learned something about the culture. When I got to the point where I explained that upon our death all of our kids would share equally in whatever meager assets we had remaining, my friend was shocked. He asked for clarification that birth children and adopted children would be sharing equally in the assets. He could not understand that our adopted children would get an equal share even though they were not born to us.
Our text today lets us know that we are heirs of God. Not just part of the makeup of the home but heirs like true family members. How is that possible? Through God’s grace, through the sacrifice of Jesus and through the adoption by the Holy Spirit, we become children of God. As a result of God’s work in our lives we are “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.”
Imagine for a moment what it is that belongs to God. According to Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” Jesus, as the one and only Son of God, is the rightful heir and is set to inherit all that belongs to his Father. And, amazingly, because we’re adopted as children of God, we are co-heirs with Christ! This has been God’s plan all along. He knew in advance that we would “be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that (Jesus) might be the firstborn among many brothers and sister.” (Romans 8:29)
Yes, we will also inherit suffering because we follow Jesus, but remember this: “Consider [Jesus] who endured such opposition . . . so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:3). Focusing on Jesus helps us persevere.
Be blessed as you are now and always will be children of God, citizens in the kingdom of heaven and part of His eternal family.
Pray
Help me to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Thank you for the promises of your word that are so numerous and so amazing. Amen.
