Joint Heirs With Christ

Luke 3:2b-3 – The word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (NIV)

During Advent, I read a devotional that told about John the Baptist calling for people to repent. The music in the background was "Hark! the herald angels sing."

We had just received the news from our son that their precious little girl had just been born, and he was on his way to the hospital to introduce himself as her dad. She was being adopted into our family.

Adoption into a family is a time of gladness for those willing to receive a little one and bring her up as their own, taking on the responsibilities of parenthood in a family of love.

So it is for us who hear the call to repentance from John the Baptist. When we repent of our sin, God accepts us as one of His adopted children, at the same time as we receive Jesus as our Saviour.

Romans 8:14-17 – For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 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. (NKJV)

How wonderful it is to join together with the Son of God, Jesus, as part of the Christian family, and as joint heirs with Him.

We anticipate the celebration of His birth, and we come to greet Him, born as a part of God's plan to hail His almighty power and tender mercies. Glory to God in the highest! — for He has come to give us freedom from our sin, and grace that enables us to enter into second birth, born again into His Spirit. Let the glow of heaven's highest bring peace and happiness in all our circumstances.

Prayer: Most gracious and loving Father, adoption into Your family is a caring and loving time in our lives. Let it bring peace and happiness into our hearts. All praise and glory be to You, O God, as we come to worship Your Son Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.

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