What does it mean to be a joint-heir with Jesus? In today’s post, we’ll take a look at this exciting promise from the Word of God as we continue Roaming through Romans.

[Tweet “The fact we could share anything with Jesus is altogether nothing but the grace of God.”]

Romans 8:16–17 (NKJV)
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

• Paul goes on from discussing the Spirit’s most important role of bearing witness with a believer’s spirit, to what’s on the other side of the new birth.
• Paul says if we are children, then we are also heirs, heirs of God.
• What does it mean to be an heir of God?
• The Greek word ‘heirs’, klēronomeō, means a receiver of an inheritance, a beneficiary.
• If we are children, we are receivers of God’s inheritance.
• The inheritance we possess in Christ does not have any basis in works.
• It is not what we have done.
• Our inheritance does not have a basis in personal morality nor in any other station enjoyed by human beings.
• The inheritance comes to us strictly by saying ‘Yes’ to Jesus Christ.
• Being heirs of God is one part of our inheritance but being a joint-heirs with Christ is yet another.
• The Greek word for joint-heirs is same word as heirs above but with ‘syn’ in front ‘klēronomeō’ which adds to the meaning ‘joint’ or ‘co-receivers’ of an inheritance,; a joint or co-beneficiary.
• What an awesome thought that we have received an inheritance together with Jesus Christ.
• The fact we could share anything with Jesus much less put our names in the same sentence as His can altogether be nothing but the grace of God.
• How humbling these thoughts are.
• Heirs do not have to work to earn their inheritance.
• The inheritance or possession has to be created or be in place beforehand.
• Someone had to be born, someone had to pay the penalty for sin and become the heir before there could ever be a joint heir.
• The full inheritance Jesus purchased for us has been set aside or reserved for us for a future time.

1 Peter 1:3–4 (NKJV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

• But, we have an earnest from the Spirit.
• An earnest is a first installment.
• It’s a taste of the coming fullness.
• Right now, here in this life we can enjoy the benefits of healing and wholeness because it’s part of our inheritance.
• Right now, here and now we can enjoy peace with God and peace in our lives because it’s part of what belongs to us.
• Right now, here and now we can possess a clear, sound and disciplined mind because it’s part of what God has given us (2 Timothy 1:7).
• Fear should not rule us because freedom from it is part of the ‘Jesus joint-heirs’ package.
• Having problems with devils, demons and evil spirits?
• Rise up and access your inheritance.
• Authority over the black realm is also part of your inheritance.
• Don’t wait until you get to heaven to enjoy all which Jesus died for you to obtain.
• Your inheritance is eternal and never fading.

Hebrews 9:15 (NKJV)
15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

• The book of Revelation helps us also as we continue to look at the reality of our endowment.
• The fullness of our inheritance of Jesus belongs to the over-comer as a sole possession.

Revelation 21:7 (NKJV)
7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

• What does this tell us?
• It tells us there’s even more which are going to be able to walk in and enjoy.
• If you think walking with Jesus is good now, you haven’t seen anything yet.
• So, the over-comers inherit all things.
• Now, all we need to know is who are these people?
• Is it some special group?
• Are they some super vigilant, highly spiritualized individuals?
• Who are the over-comers spoken of in Revelation 21:7?
• The Bible clearly tells us.

1 John 4:4 (NKJV)
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

• If you are ‘of God’, you are an over-comer.
• Over-comer means you.
• The word overcome means to win in the face of obstacles. It means to overcome or vanquish someone. ¹
• You have overcome devils, demons and evil spirits.
• You are of God.
• The over-comer is the one who inherits all things.
• He is the one who enjoys all the benefits and privileges which Jesus made available.
• Your future is out of this world.

The Word of God Is Your Direct Link to Your Inheritance

Acts 20:32 (NKJV)
32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

• It’s the Word which is able to build you up.
• It’s the Word of God which gives you your inheritance in Christ.
• The Bible contains the information of what your inheritance contains.
• But at the same time that you see what belongs to you, the Word has the ability to impart the faith you need in order to embrace it.
• The various parts of your inheritance which are available right now are accessed by faith generated by the Word.
• The force of patience comes along side your faith to help keep you steady.

Hebrews 6:12 (NKJV)
12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

What Exactly Do We Inherit with Christ?

• Primarily, what we inherit is the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 25:34 (NKJV)
34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

• So, knowing and studying the kingdom of God is knowing and studying your inheritance.
• An inheritance has no value unless it is known.
  • Charles Spurgeon told a story of a poor women whom he visited in her run down home. While in her home, Spurgeon noticed a framed letter on the wall. Looking at the document, he asked the woman if he could look at it and have it examined. It turned out that the letter was a legal document written in the handwriting of the woman’s now deceased employer. This employer was a woman of means. She left behind provision for this woman who worked as a servant in her home. The terms of provision included that this woman would be taken care of for the rest of her life. A home was part of the arrangement yet, this poor woman was living in a run down shack. This woman’s needs were to be met yet, she was living hungry and in abject want. Why did she live this way? All because she had an inheritance she knew nothing about.

One of the Best Parts of Our Inheritance

• When God raised Jesus from the dead, He inherited a name above every other name.

Philippians 2:9–11 (NKJV)
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

• When Jesus inherited His Name, He turned right around and gave His Name to You.

John 16:23 (NKJV)
23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.

Call to Action:

An inheritance has no value unless it is known and acted on. Make it a goal of yours to know and walk in all that belongs to you. Settle for nothing less than the best Jesus offered to you.

Question: How did your life change once you realized you weren’t accessing all of your inheritance in Christ? Please share your comments in the comments section below.

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