November 10, 2002

HEIRS AND JOINT HEIRS

Romans 8:17-21

   "The Spirit Itself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer together with Him, that we may be also glorified together with Him " (Romans 8:16-17).

   Paul wrote of "the hope of our calling" in Ephesians 1:18, and of the "prize of the high calling" in Philippians 3:14. Our hope is associated with grace, but the prize connects with reward. We have such an hope because we are "in Christ," but the prize will be ours "if so be that we suffer with Him." From this we conclude that an heir of God might not necessarily be a "joint heir" with Christ.

   To the overcomer the promise was made to "sit with Me on my throne" (Rev. 3:21). Paul wrote Timothy a faithful saying; "If we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him, if we suffer with Him , we shall also reign with Him..." (2 Tim. 2:11-12). We notice the change in teaching from "in Christ," to "with Christ." The language uses "with," meaning "together with," thus our joint heirship is contingent upon participation in suffering and faithfulness in service!

   The word "heir" tells of our standing before God in pure grace. The word "joint-heir" in connected with service and suffering. The same is found in Colossians 1:12 : "Giving thanks unto the Father, Who has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light" (1:12), followed by "our having redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" (1:14). This describes our standing in grace.

   But In Colossians 3:24 we read, "Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." This "reward" is granted for faithful service. The passage refers to "whatsoever we do in word or deed" (3:17) and lists our many duties of service and ends with "whatsoever we do" (3:23). Service is the issue for "he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done..." (3:25). This reinforces Romans 8 where "joint heirship" is contingent upon "suffering with Him." With our security established beyond all doubt, we are encouraged to focus on the glory and willingly endure the suffering "with Him."

Ivan L. Burgener