And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
- Romans 8:17.
We are not just heirs; we are joint-heirs with Christ. God has made us a joint heir with Jesus Christ. When we received Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we not only received Him, we received His righteousness, His right standing with God and all that God has given Him (Heb 1:2)
We share equally with Jesus Christ who has inherited everything God is and has. This is an awesome blessing. It is a glorious position in which we are placed with Christ.
Being glorified with Christ is our hope for the future. The gift of the Holy Spirit already received as first fruits of this process, signifies our adoption as children of God (Rom 8:14-17,23). This constitutes proof that the process is underway and culminates in the redemption of our bodies. We have been bought with a price – the blood of Jesus. The down payment has been made His Spirit is in us. He will come to take what is His. Christ in us, the hope of glory :( Col 1:27b) He dwells in our heart by faith. Grace in our soul is its new nature; our soul becomes alive to God and has begun its holy happiness which shall endure forever. The righteousness of Christ imputed secures the soul from death. As we walk after the leading of the Holy Spirit is us, mortifying the flesh (our 5 senses) the Holy Spirit brings a new and divine life to our soul. We, who are sanctified (set apart for God) have God’s Spirit witnessing with our spirit in and by his speaking peace to the soul.
(Phil 1:29) For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.
In this world of sin and misery Christ suffered because of his love for us. Everything in this world is opposed to morality, holiness, love for God and man, so we suffer persecution because of standing loyal to God, and for our holy – set apart life. The devil tries his best to persecute us keeping our mind on the cares of the world and not on the Word of God, to stop the Word – The BLESSING from growing and producing.
The suffering we experience is spiritual. It comes from the pressure that is involved in standing for what is ours in faith and patience, even when things look hopeless. It comes from standing steadfast and resisting the devil, fighting the good fight of faith, knowing the battle has already been won. Jesus Christ has won the battle against satan on our behalf. Through His sacrifice on the cross, He has spoiled principalities and powers; He made them an open shame triumphing over them. Satan has no power or claim over us by the blood of Jesus Christ. Through the blood of Jesus we are redeemed from the bondage of satan.
We resist everything (sickness and disease, sin, condemnation, guilt, sorrow, shame, weakness, poverty, fear of death) that Jesus bore for us on the cross. We resist the devil, putting on the whole armour of God that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (Eph 6:11) and we stand steadfast (1 Peter 5:9,10) in faith knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in our brethren that are in the world. But the God of all Grace (who imparts all blessing) who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus after that we have suffered awhile make us perfect (establish, strengthen, settles us) For our light affliction. (The devils best he can throw at us) which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (2 Cor 4:17)
So we rejoice for though now for a season, if need be we are in heaviness through manifold temptations – tests and trials much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6, 7). Our faith will be praised them. Tests and trails do not bring faith, only; the Word of God brings faith, (Rom 10:17).So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. We need to have faith in God, knowing that God makes us perfect in every good work to do his will, working or doing in us that which is well pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ. God has prepared a table for us in the presence of our enemies (Psalms 23:5). Everything on the table belongs to us through our position as an heir of God and joint-heir with Christ. Our Father expects us to fight the good fight of faith for it. We believe the Word of God; the promises of God and speak and act on them.
We take our place alongside Jesus, the victor. We are victors in Christ. Our Father loves us so much He has made us joint-heirs with Christ. Everything He has belongs to us in Jesus Name.
Jesus has won the victory over satan, and we, as the body of Christ are more than conquerors through Him who loves us and gave Himself for us.
