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Romans 8:17 “…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.”

The emphasis of this entire paragraph has to do with sonship through the Spirit. As I give my heart and life to Jesus Christ through repentance the Holy Spirit bears witness with my spirit that I am a child of God. In doing so He removes any fear, “phobia” or “flight” reaction from our lives. I am able to call God “Abba Father”.

Because I am a child of God I become an heir. This word heir means one “with a lot to possess” (sunkleronomos – pronounced soong-klay-ron-om-oss). I am someone who is a joint participant in possessing all that God my Father has for me. It also suggests the ongoing process of becoming or moving into all that God has called me to be. The interesting part is to note that this is made manifest when indeed we suffer with Him. (Phil. 1:29) The word “suffer” means to experience ill treatment or to undergo evils from without: outrage, roughness, violence, being acted upon in some way. This word PASCHO asks the painful question, “What is happening to me?” Each and every time I come to the Lord and ask, “What is happening to me?” it provides opportunity for me to possess just a bit more of the glory stored up for me – who loves Him.

It is impossible to possess anything in Christ without Him. A seemingly small example of this was Saturday when I was mowing the lawn. Lynda had left to run an errand. Not realizing it, I had been locked out of the house. Upon completing the lawn work, I discovered, not only was I locked out, but had no way of contacting her and had to wait. My first response was to become quite frustrated and grumbling, as I would be “wasting time” when I could be doing more of the tasks that I had decided must be accomplished. I stopped myself with some effort. Asking, “What is happening here to me,” initially was filled with self-pity and blaming thoughts. As I kept coming to the Lord, asking for his help, I could then ask again, “Lord, what is happening to me? Why have you allowed this to happen?” The shift within me began to move from a position of dictator to that of a learner. I ended up sitting in the sunshine on the front porch reading my three favorite magazines that had come in the mail that day. It was restful, and an absolutely beautiful day to enjoy. I realized after it was all over, that God was asking me to possess REST. Something I do not do very easily. It was wonderful versus pushing myself to do more and more resulting in multiplied complaints about all the work that needs to be done that I did not get to.

My heavenly Father loves me. He desires for me to grasp that with Jesus Christ as my coheir, I am someone who has a lot ahead of me to possess. What may seem like suffering or is indeed suffering is changed when I am able to ask God, “what is happening to me”, in such a way as to make room for the next installment of Glory. Verse 18 states “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” It is the Holy Spirit that guarantees glory to see the character of God being shaped and possessed within my Spirit is evidence of becoming His vessel of worship.

Oh Lord! That I would not forget it is by your Holy Spirit that I am moved from a position of arrogance and degradation to one of possessing your character. Thank you God and may all the glory go to You.

Compliments of Practical Family Living, Inc.

P.O. Box 1676, Appleton, WI 54912 (920) 720-8920

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