Paul made this bold claim for us in Romans 8:17. that we Believers are “joint-heirs with Christ!”
It essentially means that we are so “united” with Him, Jesus our Saviour, that … our Father in Heaven gives to us … what he gives to His Darling Son!
And God has certainly “willed” to Jesus much, so much!
And Jesus has asked that we somehow be co-sharers in all that Inheritance!
“Joint-heirs” is one word in Greek … “sugkleronomos!” Literally implying that we Christians have a “share” in all God has apportioned to Jesus! Making Jesus (in this legal sense) our Older Brother!
Then … We really were “born” into God’s Family, made His “children!”
Wow!
Does Jesus mind, is He offended at this beneficence?
I say no.
Based on verses like John 17:22 … “And the GLORY which thou gavest me I (Jesus) have given them (true worshippers; that they may be one, even as we are one.”
Sharing His Glory?
Now His Love!
“And I (Jesus) have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the LOVE wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:26
Joint-heirs!
Jesus is also God’s “Perfect” Carrier of Wisdom. Colossians 2:3 … “In Whom (Jesus) are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” And we know our Lord has given us His Wisdom, or will gladly give it, according to James 1:5.
NOW, DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND ME!
We are not gods!
We are not equal to Jesus in Essence, in Deity, in all His Attributes!
We are all still old sinners saved by Grace!
But we have been put “in the Will” … as co-inheritors with the Lord Jesus!
No telling all that means!
Good things innumerable!
But I noticed back in Romans 8:17 where this thought started a few minutes ago … “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.” Now we have Romans 8:17 in its entirety.
Part of being “joint-heirs” just may involve sharing in some of our Lord’s “sufferings!” (Often according to Jesus, suffering precedes Glory!)
John 15:20 … “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.”
Wow again!
Being saved, that is … “Christ in us” (Colossians 1:27) as well as “us in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17) … does involve that intimate an identification with our dear Lord Jesus … to the point of “sharing,” literally to the point of “joint-heirship!”
I stand amazed!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
.