Foundation Scripture: Romans 8:15-23 (NKJ) 15For 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.” 16The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and 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.

18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

Rodney Howard Browne points out that Adam was made in the image of God. He was filled with the life and nature of God. He had a special place in God’s heart. He could freely walk and talk with God. Sin destroyed that special relationship and the position man held in the presence of God. We are heirs of the promise and of the grace of God. The promise was that God would restore all of mankind back into relationship with Himself, through His own Son.

Jesus was born into this earth, living as a man, dying as a man – taking with Him to the grave our sin, sickness, poverty and spiritual death. He arose triumphant from the grave, the first-born from the dead, leading the way into life, health, blessing and the kingdom of God. As we declare His Lordship over our lives and receive God’s grace and mercy – He restores us into relationship with Himself.

God Himself declares that we are heirs of His kingdom. Not only are we heirs, but we are joint-heirs together with Jesus! This is not because of us. Actually it has absolutely nothing to do with us. Our Father God did it all through His Son, Jesus, and we are simply the grateful, joyful recipients of this new and wonderful relationship with Him.

Rodney Howard Browne teaches that we are joint-heirs with Jesus. That means that we share with Jesus, the position He has with the Father. Man did not decide this – God did. The Person with the goods gets to decide who His heirs are. Heirs cannot choose their inheritance. It is theirs because of the One whose heirs they are.

We may not look like heirs of God. We may not look like joint-heirs with Jesus, but according to the Word we are. God has placed us in that position. We must get a revelation of that fact. The Bible says that creation groans as it longs for our heirship to be revealed in the redemption of our bodies. When our bodies are redeemed, the whole of creation will be redeemed and the destructive effects of sin will be annulled and removed.

Titus 3:5-7 (NKJ)
5not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

We are heirs of the promise (Hebrews 6:17) and heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:4). We have the promise of eternal life, of peace, righteousness and every good thing. We reign in life through Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:12) and the gift of righteousness we have received by His grace (Romans 5:17). We are seated in heavenly places in and with Him (Ephesians 2:6).

By God’s grace and mercy, everything Jesus has, He has shared with us. We can walk in the righteousness and power of a son or daughter of God!