“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 8:16-17).
“Ungodly, sinners, enemies…Children, heirs, and joint heirs with Christ”. The contrast between Romans 5:6-10 and Romans 8:16-17 could not be more stark.
Becoming a child of God is not determined by your physical bloodlines. The determining factor in Jesus’ family is whether you do the will of God (Mark 3:33-35).
Being an heir of God is not determined by whether you are perfect in your obedience. Even if you should do your duty at all times, eternal life would not be owed you (Luke 17:10). Your eternal inheritance as a son of God is determined by whether your Christian walk is according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1, 4).
Being a joint-heir with Christ is attributable to only one thing—the AMAZING grace of God. Being our elder brother, Jesus would be legally entitled to a double portion of God’s inheritance, according to the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 21:17). Being the only begotten Son of God—i.e., His unique nature of deity and humanity—rightfully entitles Him to a greater inheritance than the rest of God’s heirs. Yet such will not be the case.
Not only are males and females co-heirs of their spiritual Father’s inheritance (1 Peter 3:7), not only are Jews and Gentiles co-heirs of God’s glorious inheritance (Ephesians 3:6), you and I are co-heirs with God’s firstborn, only begotten, perfect Son. Christ’s redeemed body—the church—is “the general assembly and church of the firstborn (ones) who are registered in heaven” (Hebrews 12:23)
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1).
