Romans 8 is a long chapter that, among other things, discusses our life on earth versus the wonderful heavenly future we have (Rom. 8:18). We now have a debased and perishable body, but our body will be redeemed, and we will be changed and receive a new body (Rom. 8:23; Phil. 3:20-21).
The Spirit of Sonship
We saw earlier that as a guarantee of this, God has given us His Spirit (Eph. 1:13), and that is also what Romans 8 speaks of. We do live in the flesh and in a mortal body, but that is only temporary (Rom. 8:11). In this body, we are “journeying” toward our destiny: our calling is to be appointed as sons of God. A son is an heir, or better yet, enjoyers of an allotment. The calling of the ecclesia is that, as the body of Christ, together with Him, they will unite this entire creation under one Head (Eph. 1:10). Being placed in that position is called, in Romans 8: being appointed as sons, or more simply: sonship.
But even though we are still in the flesh, God’s Spirit guides us. And that Spirit is called in Romans 8: the spirit of sonship. As future sons of God, He leads us by His Spirit to that destiny.
Romans 8
15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, in which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”
This walk or journey toward our wonderful future is not done by the flesh, by ourselves; it is God who leads us by His Spirit.
16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
His Word
That the Spirit bears witness, shows us that God’s Spirit is also His Word (John 6:63). God speaks to us through His Word. And when we agree with that Word, our spirit bears witness with God’s Spirit.
17 And if children, then also heirs: heirs of God, and heirs of Christ. For if we suffer together, it is so that we may also be glorified together.
Heirs
Now we are children, but soon we will also be heirs (literally: enjoyers of an allotment) of God. Heirs receive an inheritance. We share in the Father’s inheritance! That it is an allotment, means that it comes to us, it is our lot; He has ordained it that way. The people of Israel received the land of Canaan, and it was divided among the tribes by casting lots (Josh. 18:10; Acts 13:19). Thus, all the tribes received their allotment of the land.
A lot-owner or son is so much more than a child. A child is begotten by the Father, a son shares in the Father’s inheritance!
Co-owners of the allotment
We are God’s allotment owners. But the sentence in verse 17 goes further and also tells us exactly what we receive. We are co-owners of Christ. This means that we receive together with Him, and everything He receives is also ours! And unto Him is given all things, both in heaven and on earth (Eph. 1:10). Now we still suffer, and this glorious position is a hidden position. Christ is hidden and ignored by the world, and so are we, but that will change.
Colossians 3
1 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
Revealed in glory
Now the life we have already received is still hidden, just as He is hidden in heaven. And therefore we seek the things that are above, where He is. But here we find the promise that when He is revealed, we will be revealed with Him. For this reason, we will go to meet Him at the snatching away, so that we can appear with Him in glory. So when the Lord appears to Israel (and later to the nations) and is revealed with that appearing (Zech. 14:4), we will be there!