Devotional: Co-Heirs with Christ

[I have enjoyed the Morning and Evening devotionals of the late 1800’s Particular Baptist preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, but find them a bit archaic in presentation. So I have re-written them in more modern fashion for modern ears.]

¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Romans 8:16,17, NIV)

Jesus has inherited all the boundless realms of his Father’s universe by virtue of being His Son. He is the “heir of all things” (Hebrews 1:2), and as such is the sole proprietor of God’s vast creation. But by virtue of a deed of joint heirship which Jesus has ratified with his chosen people, he has allowed us to claim the whole as ours, also. The golden streets of the heavenly Jerusalem, its gates of singular pearls, its river and tree of life, its transcendent bliss and unutterable glory, are made our everlasting possession by our wonderful Lord and Savior, whose name is forever blessed.

All that he has he shares with his people. He has placed his royal crown upon the head of his Church, appointing her a kingdom, and calling her sons and daughters a royal priesthood, a generation of priests and kings.  He uncrowned himself that we might have a coronation of glory. He refused to sit upon his own throne until he had procured a place upon it for all who overcome by his blood. Crown the head and the whole body shares the honor. Do you see the reward of every Christian conqueror? Christ’s throne, crown, scepter, palace, treasure, robes, heritage, all are yours.

Instead of the jealousy, selfishness, and greed, which allow no participation in their advantages, Christ deems his happiness completed by his people sharing it. “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one” (John 17:22). “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11).”

The smiles of his Father are all the sweeter to him because his people share them. The honors of his kingdom are more pleasing, because his people appear with him in glory. His conquests are more valuable to him because they have taught his people to overcome. He delights in his throne because on it there is a place for them. He rejoices in his royal robe because the skirts of that robe are spread over us. He delights the more in his joy because he calls us to enter into it. All that he has inherited he has made ours as his co-heirs.