If Children

“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 8:17

True spiritual life has a true and credible foundation. Spiritual life is enjoyed by a Spirit indwelled child of God with a positive identity and not a hypothetical “if”. The “Fatherhood of God” idea entertained in some theological positions cannot be substantiated by Scriptures for Jesus taught that the new birth experience, alone, qualified one for entrance into the Kingdom of God. “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” – John 3:2.

Those who are children of God are heirs to all that God is and has. We are made partakers of His Divine nature and share in the riches of Christ. His children are adopted into His family and have the “adoption papers” of the Word of God to prove our adoption! “If children”, we are set up to win both now and forever! Yes, we suffer together but are not alone for our suffering is “with Him”. One day we will be “glorified together” with Him. His children are not alone in their experiences due to the fact that His family is linked to each other and, especially, our risen Lord. – Chuck Peters – 9/5/2023