Joint Heirs with Christ....

Romans 8:17 "and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ......"

Wow! This verse, even out of context (the rest of the passage adds tremendous clarity to the above statement), gives Christian life purpose. The passage of Romans 8:12-17 gives more depth to the main point I've isolated from verse 17. If we are children of God, then we are alive in His Spirit, putting to death the deeds of the flesh. In the Spirit we cry out "Abba! Father!"

Is there a more humbling thought than this? That God has allowed us to be joint heirs with Jesus Christ. I pray that God Himself will reveal to each of us the depth and breadth of all this statement implies. The Sovereign God of all creation allows fallen worshipers to become as His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. WHAT? Oh, yes, God allows us to basque in the beauty of His presence of His Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ. Through Jesus, we can enter into friendship with Him. We are heirs of righteousness and holiness!

Fellow believers, let us cling to this truth for joy when the suffering of this world inevitably strikes a blow to our faith. The person of Jesus Christ took the blow of our Father's wrath. He took our punishment so that we can be fellow heirs. Thank you, Jesus!

Romans 8:15 "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"