Children of God, fellow heirs with Christ, recipients of His eternal reward. What a magnificent thought, if we are ‘in Christ’ then we are no longer considered as strangers, aliens and foreigners to God. We enter into a new relationship, one of family and of belonging. We have become to God not just like (facsimile) but children (family), adopted and included. Once we were far removed from God and strangers to His ways but having found and been found by Christ we are now included into His family, accepted in the beloved. Christ then the first amongst many brothers and sisters (Romans 8v29). For those who feel alone Jesus is God’s message of company, nearness, companionship. To those who never quite seem to fit in, always the last in the line, the socially excluded, He is the demonstration of God’s acceptance, His message “I choose you.” The ones that life has rejected, not pretty enough, tough enough, sporty, funny, charming enough, God has accepted, His message “I want you!” ‘God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.’ (1Corinthians 1v27) All these that God accepts, He includes, because they accepted His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, He give the right to be called children of God. (John 1v12). It would be enough to be accepted, to be included, to be a part of God’s family but it just keeps getting better. As we discover this new found status as children of God’s household we are also given thee same rights and privileges as all God’s children we become fellow heirs with Christ. (Romans 8v17). That means that we have both God’s blessings and promises here and now and also so much more in the eternal realm where we find that we shall be like Him and live with Him forever. When Jesus Christ’s kingdom is revealed we also will be revealed, as fellow heirs we will reign with Him (2Timothy 2v12). So we become a recipient of God’s favour, fellow custodians of the family business. The family business of course, Glory to God in the highest and the sharing of His message of peace and salvation to all those who have not heard, we spread the good news. We now find in this new relationship, this sonship (& daughterhood) that we have access to our Heavenly Father, He hears us and answers our petitions (prayers). All this is of course not of our doing, it is God’s free gift, it is given by grace. Our inheritance far greater than silver and gold, is joy and peace, comfort and satisfaction. The world for all it’s wealth and possessions is never satisfied, and with much wealth joy and peace becomes harder to possess. The lie is to believe that such things are needed to know happiness and peace but in Christ we may have joy and peace and a hope that endures because the One who promised is faithful. Have a blessed week child of God.
Comments