What it means to be a joint heir with Jesus Christ

By Tope Banso 
1 Corinthians 2:12 says, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God” (New King James Version).
Every born again Christian is a child of God. Galatians 3:26 says, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (New King James Version). One of the things every child of God must know is that he or she is an heir of God and joint heir with Jesus.
Among humans, the firstborn is the heir, but all believers are firstborn in the family of God! (Hebrews 12:23). Redemption affords every believer the full inheritance rights as an adopted son of God (Galatians 4:1-7). Sonship comes with privileges and responsibilities.
Romans 8:16-17 says, “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” (New King James Version).
Having been born into the family of God, believers share the fatherhood of God with Jesus Christ. Jesus is our elder brother. Hebrews 2:11 says, “So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters” (New Living Translation). Those who are made holy or sanctified are the children of God – those who are born again.
All heirs are entitled to their fathers’ inheritance. Therefore, by virtue of adoption into the family of God, you are entitled, as an heir, to the spiritual inheritance of your Father.  You have the same right as other believers because you’re an heir of God and joint heir with Christ Jesus.
There is a measure of the inheritance available to believers in the present dispensation on earth because of the finished work of Jesus on the cross. God expects you to appropriate this inheritance now, and start enjoying it.
2 Peter 1:2-4 says, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (New King James Version).
You are a partaker of God’s nature, and, therefore, you should allow that life of God to manifest in you on this earth. His rich and wonderful promises that pertain to this earth could be regarded as our inheritance. He expects us to claim and enjoy them here and now.
But the Bible also tells us that there is the inheritance that is for the future dispensation, which is the main inheritance. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5 New King James Version).
So, we have inheritance both now and in the future. You should not miss either. While you should enjoy all the promises of God available to you now on the earth, you should always look forward to your future inheritance.  “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.  And where I go you know, and the way you know” (John 14:2-4 New King James Version).
In Luke 18:28, Peter told Jesus that they (Jesus’ disciples) had left all and followed Him. “So Jesus answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time — houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions — and in the age to come, eternal life’” (Mark 10:29-31 New King James Version). Luke 18:29-30 says a similar thing.
It is important to point out that as heirs and joint heirs with Jesus, Christians owe it a duty to be responsible brothers and sisters of Christ. Love and loyalty are among the qualities expected among members of any family towards one another. Jesus says, “If you love me, obey my commandments” (John 14:15 New Living Translation).
Earlier in John 13:34-35, Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (New King James Version).
Jesus died on the cross to save the world because of love. We must love Him also as heirs of the kingdom. “Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” (James 2:5 New King James Version).
As stated earlier in Romans 8:16-17, as an heir of God and joint heir with Christ, you should be prepared to suffer with Him. That scripture says if we suffer with Him, we shall be glorified together. “And since we are his children, we will share his treasures — for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering” (verse 17 New Living Translation).
2 Timothy 3:12 says all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. You should rejoice that you partake of Christ’s sufferings (1 Peter 4:13).
Peter and the other apostles arrested and tried by the Jewish Council understood this. After they had been tried and beaten, they were commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. But the Bible says, “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (Acts 5:41-42 New King James Version).
In the Beatitudes, Jesus says, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12 New King James Version).
Persecution is part of the package as the Bible shows in Mark 10:29-31 quoted earlier, where Jesus highlights the blessings His followers will enjoy but adds “with persecutions.” Many love the blessings minus the persecutions. But it’s a total package! You’re not permitted to choose one and reject the other.
As you’ve read in Hebrews 2:11, “So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters” (New Living Translation). Jesus is not ashamed to call you His brother or sister; don’t be ashamed of Him either.
Jesus says in Mark 8:38, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (New King James Version).
According to Paul, believers have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:13-14).  Every born again child of God is an heir and joint heir with Christ. Are you?
In Matthew 25:34, Jesus says, “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” New King James Version). The Bible talks about those who won’t inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:20). I pray you’ll inherit it in Jesus’ name. “He who overcomes shall inherit all things” (Revelation 21:7 New King James Version).
David says the LORD is the portion of his inheritance (Psalm 16:5). “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32 New King James Version).
If you’re not born again, repent of your sins today and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Whoever comes to Him, He will by no means cast out.
PRAYER POINTS:  Father, I thank You for the privilege to be Your heir and joint heir with Christ. I will not miss my inheritance here on earth and in heaven. Jesus, I shall not be ashamed of You. Holy Spirit, I receive Your help to endure persecution patiently and remain firm to the end, obeying God’s commands and trusting in Jesus (Revelation 14:12).
This is wisdom for living, and it’s worth sharing. Please share.
(For over 300 in-depth and powerful messages by T.O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
▪︎ Banso, an Abuja-based Minister, heads Cedar Ministry International, and can be reached at
cedarministryintl@yahoo.com, cedarministryng@gmail.com; Tel No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523; WhatsApp No: +2349081295947