This past Saturday I went to a family reunion. We had a great time.  The food was unbelievable and the company was better.  My presence there was not due to being related to the host family.  I came because they invited me. We have graciously been adopted into their family.  Their love has been an immeasurable blessing to me and my family.  The Bible tells us that Jesus has invited us to be part of God's family.  He reaches out to us in His love and offers the closest of relations. ^{Romans 8:16} The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

        When we surrender our hearts to the Lord Jesus Christ we are fully accepted into the family of God.  The Holy Spirit who inhabits us testifies to this precious truth.  Through the work of the cross we are made kingdom kids.  Our affiliation goes far beyond a familial resemblance and association.  The scripture affirms that our adoption assures us of a grand inheritance.  We become heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.  An heir receives the riches of his loving parent.  We have full access to God's riches!

        The irony of the promise is that it consists of far more than a dollar amount or a listing of valuable property.  We share in HIS SUFFERINGS.  This is not a popular promise in Western Christianity.  We assume obedience produces a by product of affluence.  If I follow God I will have: strong stable relationships, a flourishing bank account, a secure job and a trail of admirers who smother me with appreciation.  The Bible paints a different picture.  A person who seriously stands for Jesus Christ is destined to be a target of those who live for this world alone.  After all, Jesus teaches the inverse of the world system.  This world says live for self.  Jesus commands us to die to self.  This world tells us that meaning is found in gaining more.  Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."  This world encourages us to pursue the flaming desires that dwell within us.   The scriptures clearly say, "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to you earthly nature..."  Jesus turns everything upside down.  Thus, to live for Jesus Christ is to be misunderstood by those who live for this world.  The result is suffering.  This is the part of the inheritance that no one wants to claim but it is part of belonging to Jesus.  Even so, keep this in mind; it has been said that he who lives with his heart on heaven gets earth thrown in, but he who lives with his heart on earth receives neither. 

        It is inconceivable to think that we will share in His glory.  We certainty don't deserve it!  Why has He chosen to graft us into His glory?  The only possible answer is that Jesus loves us.  Heaven is our home because Jesus chose to face the sin of this world with His perfect glory.  I can't describe the glory of Jesus Christ nor can I understand what it means to share in that glory.  The good news is that I don't have to.  All that matters is that Jesus makes it all possible.  Our sufferings for Him are miniscule compared to His suffering for us.  ^{2 Corinthians 4:17} For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  The concept of sharing in the glory of Jesus Christ forces me to my knees.  He paid a debt He did not owe in order to pay a debt we could not afford.  Praise be to God.

        The other great benefit of this inheritance is that our family in Christ will be our family in heaven.  It was a joy to be with our adopted family at the reunion several days ago, but it will be a far greater joy to go to the family reunion that is in the next world.  ^{Philippians 3:20} But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ  We won't see each other in our human frailty but in the perfect covering of Jesus Christ.  We will radiate His glory.  Loved ones who have already passed before us will be there in His glory.  Dear friends who distance prevents us from seeing will be there.  Saints we admire and long to be with will be there.  I want to enjoy today because it is a gift from God.  That is why it is called the present, (Psalm 118:24).  Yet, I long more to be part of the coming family reunion.  As the years pass that yearning grows stronger.  I suppose that is a natural part of wanting to see home.