Sons of God and Joint-Heirs with Christ

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

“led” = to lead, to bring, drive, go

This is another statement that reinforces the truth that your actions prove your faith. The Spirit doesn’t lead one into doing wrong; the Spirit always leads us into truth and obedience.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth….

1Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

When our lives evidence the leading of the Spirit, we can be sure of our position in God’s family—sons, heirs, joint-heirs with Christ (see verse 17).

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

The effect of the law in our lives results in bondage/slavery. Sin multiplies—one sin leads to another to another etc. It places us in a position of fear before Almighty God. As a new creation in Christ with the Holy Spirit indwelling and leading us, we have become children of God. We have been adopted; we can approach the Father in confidence as His child. Sometimes we have to come to our Father in shame for our actions in repentance, but we don’t fear His response. We are assured of His love and forgiveness.

1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The fact that we call out to God as Father is evidence that the Spirit is indwelling us. It is the Spirit that places those words in our prayer.

Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

I found a statement from Harry Ironside’s “Lectures on Romans” that I wanted to include here: “Adoption is to be distinguished from new birth. We are children by birth, but sons by adoption. In the full sense we have not yet received the adoption. It will be consummated (as verse 23 shows) at the Lord’s return. When a Roman father publicly acknowledged his child as his son and heir, legally in the forum, this ceremony was called ‘the adoption!’ All born in his family were children. Only those adopted were recognized as sons.”

Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

This is a very interesting verse. It is basically saying that one knows whether or not he is a child of God—no matter what he may say. One who is a child of God has the witness of the Spirit to his own spirit. How does the Spirit testify to a person’s spirit? A witness is one who testifies to evidence or proof of the truth. The Spirit testifies to our spirit through the fruit/evidence that is produced in our lives.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…

Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

I know I am repeating myself in some of these explanations, but I feel in good company since Paul repeats the same truth in so many different ways.

Romans 8:17 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.

It stands to reason that if we are children of God, we are heirs to all that He possesses, joint-heirs with Jesus His Son.

Hebrews 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds…

“suffer” = to experience pain of the same kind (especially persecution; to sympathize)

This verse can be very disconcerting to someone who has been so blessed in their Christian life as I have. What does it mean to suffer with Jesus? I have never really suffered persecution. I have faced testing and temptation. One of Webster’s definitions of “suffer” helps.

3. To feel in consequence of what another feels; to be affected by feelings similar to those of another, in consequence of knowing the person to be thus affected.

As I thought about that definition, I began to relate to my attitude toward sin and sinners in this world. Does sin/wickedness grieve me? Am I active in promoting cultural values that honor God? Do I have compassion for the sinner? Do I desire to share the truth with others? Am I willing to sacrifice my comfort or pleasure to share the gospel and/or reflect Jesus in my life? The true child of God may not be consistently victorious in every area, but he/she will be striving to follow Christ’s example in all areas. I think to suffer includes desiring what Jesus desires and striving to imitate His example.

Paul closes the verse with the wonderful promise, that those who suffer with Jesus will also be glorified with Him. We will share in His position of honor, praise and admiration. This made me think of the letter to the church at Laodicea:

Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne….