“And since we are his
children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's
glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.” –
Romans 8:17
Although in another portion
of scripture, Paul calls himself a bondservant to Jesus Christ and a slave to
righteousness, he also reveals this significant truth, which identifies us as
children, heirs and friends with our Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:13). As Born
Again Christians, we are not only regenerated disciples of Christ. We are not
merely His servants. We are someone whom He considers as His friends and
family. We are adopted into God’s family and co-equal heirs with Jesus to
inherit everything that our Heavenly Father owns.
This thought warms my soul
and fills me with joy, peace and abundant love for both my Heavenly Father and
my brother, Jesus. Jesus who is both the Lion of Judah and the sacrificial
lamb, the sin of the world and the righteous judge, the consuming fire and the
light of the world, the root of Jesse and the King of the Jews, is ultimately,
Emanuel, God with us. He dwells in our spirit and changes us from the inside
out.
We do not have to earn His
love or acceptance by good deeds or righteous acts. We simply need to surrender
our will to His and walk in obedience to His calling for our life. He gives us
His Holy Spirit as our comforter and guide (John 15:26) and He promises never
to leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). As His
friends, we do what He leads us to do.
He no longer calls us servants, because
a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, He has calls us His
friends, because everything that Jesus learned from our Father He has made
known to us. We did not choose Him, but He chose us and appointed us to go
forth in the world and bear fruit for His Kingdom (John 15: 13-16a).
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you are my very
best friend and I thank You for Your finished work on Calvary’s Cross that
allows me to walk in Your love and acceptance as Your sister and friend. Thank
You for Your Holy Spirit who dwells within me, and that the fullness of the
godhead is in me as well (Colossians 1:19; 2:9).
Thought for the Day:
Jesus
is our loving Friend and Brother who is always here for you.
