A Joint Heir with Jesus

More than ever before, developmentalists are having a difficult time defining the word “family.” It is a challenge, because there are so many different kinds of families. Children live with biological parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, foster parents or even in a shelter. Despite the struggle to reach a consensus, family resonates a certain culture within all of us. A culture that should encourage us what is acceptable and unacceptable. A culture that is stable and predictable.

Families can often be identified by unspoken rules. Some of us are notorious for being the family that has assigned seats at the dinner table and a special designated recliner for dad in the family room. This culture affirms that we have a sense of belonging. However, there is a membership that is greater than our own family; it’s a place in the family of God. “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-to the praise and glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves (Ephesians 1:4-6).”

People can recognize a family when they see one. They live in the same house, ride in the same car and eat the same meals. Although, how will the family of God be recognized? What characteristics will define its members? What is the culture in which we will live?

“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 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 8:15-17).”

The same love that God has for Jesus as His son, is the same love that unites all of us as God’s children. Some people have found an identity through family and others have not had the privilege of knowing their family. However, we are given the promise that we are identified as joint heirs with Christ in the family of God. “How great is the love that the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God (1 John 3:1-2).”