“For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?” – Romans 11:24
Today, I was out in my flower garden admiring all the blooms, and I noticed an oddity. My white rose bush had some pink blooms growing among the white ones. I did a little research and discovered that a white rose bush can develop a few pink roses due to grafting or a mutation. Since I had never grafted any other rose plant into my original white rose bush, the pink roses were a delightful surprise for me!
As I admired them, I was reminded (I love how the Holy Spirit does that!) that I am not part of God’s chosen nation, Israel, but I am part of His family because I have been grafted into His family through Jesus! In Romans 11:24, the word “graffed” is used. It is an archaic form of the word “grafted”, and means “to unite a bud or a plant shoot with a different growing plant by inserting the piece of the original plant into the second plant”. Upon salvation, I am “grafted” into the Saviour. Jesus refers to Himself as the Vine and His followers as the branches. John 15:5 records His words. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” As a branch separated from its host plant, I would surely die, but once I am grafted into the living Vine, I am given a new life with the opportunity to grow. But there’s more!
As a “grafted” branch in Jesus, I also become a joint-heir with Him! “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” – Romans 8:16-17. This means that what Jesus inherits, so do I and all other true believers.
This inheritance is two-fold. First, since Jesus suffered, I will also suffer, and being in this fleshly tabernacle, I constantly face struggles, challenges, and illnesses. Romans 8:18 states, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” When I read about people in the Bible like Mary (Jesus’ mother), Stephen, Paul and others, I see how they suffered physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. However, I also read how God was always with them every step of the way, providing His strength and the truth of His Word to get them through every difficulty. This is a comfort to me knowing that when I go through hard times, God will always be faithful to help me as well.
The second aspect of being a joint-heir is also seen in Romans 8:18. God’s glory will one day be revealed in me when I am raised to eternal life and glory just like Jesus was! Because I am still in my sinful carnal body, this second part of my inheritance is yet to be. However, as a saved child of God, I have a new life in Jesus and my mind is being transformed in this life! Romans 12:2 states, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” This transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within me! Through God’s Word, His Spirit teaches, convicts, and renews me, making me more like Jesus every day!
Eventually, I will be transformed spiritually when the Lord calls me home, either by death or the rapture, and then I will receive everything that Jesus receives! My inheritance will be “…incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” (1 Peter 1:4). That is when I will experience the glory of God face-to-face in heaven! What an amazing day that will be!
Whatever else God has for me… and there is more… I cannot even begin to fathom. 1 Corinthians 2:9 states, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” Finally, God does make a last comment about my inheritance. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” – Revelation 21:7. All things! Wow! What an inheritance awaits me!
I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God
I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod
For I’m part of the family, the family of God!
(from “The Family of God” by Bill & Gloria Gaither)
“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” – Titus 3:7
**********
Are you a joint-heir with Jesus? If not, I’d love to tell you how you can be!