ICS Daily Devotions
We Are Joint Heirs with Christ
Romans 8:16-17 (NKJV) 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.
Paul brings us the glorious point that we are “joint heirs with Christ.” Even though on earth, not all children are heirs to their family inheritance, but Paul reassures us that all of God’s children have equal rights because we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ who is the Son of God.
When Jesus became the first born from the dead, we too became the children of God when we accepted Christ into our lives. The Bible says that for all who receives Him and calls upon His name, He will give them the right to become children of God.
What a wonderful God we have! Only the God of all grace could prepare such a marvelous destiny for us. We are unworthy creatures who had once rebelled in sin against Him. Christ who is the Eternal Maker of all things, the Well-Beloved of the Father, the Righteous One, the Prince of Life, has made us joint heirs with Him!
Ephesians 1:20-23 (NKJV) which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Ephesians 2:5-6 (NKJV) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
This is the spiritual position of one who is a joint heir with Christ, and we are seated far above all principalities and powers that once influenced or tormented us. We are able to defeat them or command them to depart and come under the feet of Christ, as we are part of His body! They no longer have the power to influence, oppress or torment us in any way because we are seated with Christ and have the vested power to use the name of Jesus to cast out all evil! We are connected with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Christ’s property extends to all and we are co-heirs!
Are we behaving like slaves or heirs of God? Yes, we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. We have an inheritance. We have a godly and kingly heritage. We are children of the King of Kings whose kingdom lasts forever. This truth should change our whole perspective, outlook and behavior as a person. This inheritance does not happen after our death, but it begins now or at the point of the new birth at conversion.
Sermon Series: We Are Heirs of God and Joint Heirs with Christ
