THE HOLY SPIRIT and SONSHIP Devotion 26 of 30 What a word is this: "heirs of God!" Here, in one word, the summation of our inheritance is stated. It is God Himself! The "heirs of God" will inherit God! – Tomorrow:
"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors; not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." (Romans 8:12-17, NKJV)
" . . . and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ."
"HEIRS OF GOD"
Abraham received a foretaste of this in the Lord's commitment to him: "I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward" (Gen 15:1). How well David stated it: "My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psa 73:26). Inheriting God Himself is involved in the wonderful promise, "and I will be their God" (Jer 31:33; 32:38; Ezek 11:20; 37:23,27; Zech 8:8; 2 Cor 6:16; Heb 8:10).
Being an "heir of God" is also involved in the glorious and comforting expression in Revelation 21:3: "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and GOD HIMSELF SHALL BE WITH THEM, and be their God." Full and unhindered access to God will be given to us as "heirs of God." This is the inheritance of all who are "the children of God."
"JOINT HEIRS WITH CHRIST"
This is also a most marvelous phrase! It is too large for worldly wisdom to receive. The bag of nature is too small to hold this promise! If ever a person is to gain some insight into these things, he must put a large distance between himself and the world. The bigger the world, the smaller the promises of God. Conversely, the larger our inheritance looms before us, the more inconsequential and obnoxious this world becomes.
Sharing the Inheritance
A "joint heir" is one who shares the inheritance of another. Such a person participates with one who has inherited the assets of another. And what can be said of Christ's inheritance? Presently God is speaking to us "by His Son, whom He has appointed HEIR OF ALL THINGS" (Heb 1:2). Notice, God has "APPOINTED" the Son as "Heir" of everything! Whatever can be inherited WILL be inherited by the Lord Jesus Christ! The "heathen" have been given to Him for His "inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession" (Psa 2:8). The whole of God's government has been put upon His shoulder, and He will "establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever" (Isa 9:7). Because of His uncontested Headship, "the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand" (Isa 53:10). Everything has been "put under His feet" (Eph 1:22). It shall yet reverberate throughout the universe, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever" (Rev 11:15).
It is no small thing, therefore, to be a "joint heir with Christ!" In that status untold riches are found. After all, "all things were made by Him and FOR Him." That includes things "that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers" (Col 1:16). It should not surprise us that those in Christ are told, "For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's" (1 Cor 3:21-23). These are all possessed by faith right now, and are being worked together for our good.
However, that is not the fulness of being "joint heirs with Christ." Remember, it is said that he is the "Heir of ALL things." It should follow, therefore, that "joint heirs" will also inherit "all things." We do not have to guess on this matter. The Lord has spoken for our comfort and assurance. "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son" (Rev 21:7). Rejoice, child of God, and be exceeding glad. GREAT is your reward in heaven!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask for grace to think more of what I have in Christ than what I have in this world. Help me to ponder the magnificent inheritance that is reserved for me as an "heir of God and joint heir with Christ."