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
OK, if you want to be technical, this title refers to Christians and not the Lord. However, if we are joint heirs with Jesus, then He is a Joint Heir with us. The title is a legitimate name of Christ.
The idea is that the children of God will share with Christ everything that is God’s. Now, if Jesus got 50% of the total and the rest was divided between every believer, calculated out, that means even the lowliest saint would at least get a galaxy or two.
That sounds great at first, but stars and planets would have no worth if everyone had them. The title conveys that the Master shares with us things that are of far greater value. He gives us His glory, His power, and His position before God.
As Joint Heir, Christ shares with me His glory: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).
As Joint Heir, the Lord shares His power: “So Jesus said to them, “… if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20). “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12).
As Joint Heir, Christ shares with us His position with God: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!…” (1 John 3:1). “…by which He made us accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6).
May 23
