Understanding that we are joint heirs with Christ underscores both the privileges and responsibilities of the Christian life. It highlights a profound union with Christ that impacts not only our current spiritual life but also our eternal destiny.
[00:00:00] Welcome to the Bible Speaks with Elgin Carelock. The Bible Speaks is a weekly ministry of harvest international. Our prayer is that the Bible speaks for encourage you in your study of God's Word.
[00:00:38] You will be able to contact Elgin at the address given at the end of this broadcast. And now here's Elgin. Brothers and sisters, I welcome you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to another episode of Words of Inspiration.
[00:00:57] And today we are going to have a discussion on the topic of, do you know who you are? Our spiritual inspiration comes from Romans chapter 8 verses 16 through 17 which reads The Spirit Himself bears witness with our Spirit that we are children of God.
[00:01:22] And if children then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. Provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also glorify with Him. Maintaining our Christian worldview and obedience to God in the natural world presents significant challenges.
[00:01:45] Primarily due to the pervasive influence of our secular values and the contradictory cultural norms that permeate everyday life. Believers are called to navigate a world where moral relativism, materialism and individualism, frequently conflict with biblical teachings about truth, stewardship and community.
[00:02:11] In the workplace, schools and even personal relationship, we find pressure to conform to practices that compromise our ethical standards or try to silence our faith to avoid criticism or exclusion. Additionally, the constant bombardment of media and technology with messages that glorify
[00:02:35] self-gradification and power can make it difficult to focus on spiritual growth and the virtues of humility and service. This tension requires us to be both vigilant and discerning, ensuring our actions and decisions are continually aligned with Scripture.
[00:02:55] Furthermore, the challenge extends to engaging lovingly and effectively with those who hold different beliefs, requiring a balance of truth and grace that can only be sustained through a deep, ongoing relationship with God and a supported faith community.
[00:03:16] In other words, we have to remember who we are and who's we are. The foundation of being joined areas with Christ is rooted in the idea of believers being adopted as children of God. Romans 8 and 15 speaks about receiving the spirit of adoption by which believers call out
[00:03:40] Abba or Father. This adoption changes the believers' status from that of creation to child of God, which is a deeply intimate and privileged relationship. Abraham is a great example of one who was adopted into the family.
[00:03:58] He was a gentle by birth, but God brought him into the family through circumcision and baptism and made a covenant with him to make him into a great nation, with a lineage all the way to Jesus Christ.
[00:04:12] In the new covenant, when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we too are grafted into the family of God. We are no longer spiritually bound or enslaved to sin, but in power through the Holy
[00:04:25] Spirit to accomplish the purpose for which we were called to earth. So what does it mean to be an air with Christ? As airs of God and coares with Christ, believers are entitled to sharing the inheritance that Christ receives.
[00:04:44] It is in a biblical context, an air is someone who receives what is promised by a father to his children. The implication is that whatever blessings, privileges and spiritual riches God has promised to his son are also extended to those who are in Christ.
[00:05:02] Those who have been made right with God through their faith in Jesus' sacrifices and resurrection. The verse also specifies a condition. This inheritance is contingent upon sharing in Christ's suffering. This doesn't mean that suffering is a meritory as work that earns believers their inheritance,
[00:05:25] where rather it's indicative of a life generally aligned with a Christ. Just as Christ suffered, his followers are expected to encounter opposition, persecution, or hardship for their faith. These experiences are part of what it means to live as Christians in the world that is
[00:05:46] often hostile to the values of the gospel. Psalm 34 verse 19, reading from the amplified version reads, many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord deliver it out of them all. I know we cringe at the idea of suffering, but remember James 1 verses 2 through 3 tells
[00:06:11] us to consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith through experience produces endurance, leading to spiritual maturity and inner peace.
[00:06:29] Not only do trials produce endurance, maturity and peace, but opportunities to grow and reach new heights in your relationship with God through Jesus and Holy Spirit. The ultimate hope of being joiners with Christ is not only in sharing His suffering, but also in sharing in His glory.
[00:06:49] This is a forward-looking promise where we anticipate a future transformation and glorification. As described in Romans 8 verses 18 through 23, in essence we look forward to the resurrection, the redemption of our bodies and internal life with God, where we will fully experience
[00:07:10] the richness of our inheritance and the kingdom of God. Brothers and sisters, understanding that we are joiners with Christ, underscores both privileges and responsibilities of Christian life. Through highlights a profound union with Christ that impacts not only our current spiritual life, but also our eternal destiny.
[00:07:33] This understanding allows us to not lose our identity while in the world and have great anticipation of God's promises being fully realized in the future. I thank you for joining me on today and I look forward to our discussion on tomorrow. Until then, God bless.
[00:07:53] I've run the far way. This program is cared for by listeners who care. Your prayers and financial investment in this ministry helps to keep the good news on the air. We look forward to hearing from you and invite you to write us at harvest international,
[00:08:18] post office box 66090 Ocalaflora 34488. Again, that's harvest international, post office box 66090 Ocalaflora 34488.