"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).

One of the greatest doctrines of the Christian faith is
the identification of Christ with His people in all the key
events of His great work of salvation. For example, we are
considered by God as dying with Him since He died for us.
As Paul said, "I am crucified with Christ" (Galatians 2:20).

Furthermore, when Christ was buried, we were in
effect buried also. "We are buried with Him by baptism into
death" (Romans 6:4). Then we are also resurrected with
Christ. "Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are
risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God,
who hath raised Him from the dead" (Colossians 2:12).

But that is only the beginning of our great
salvation. Christ then ascended to heaven, sat down on the right
hand of the Father, and we are there with Him! "God, who
is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved
us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us
together with Christ. . . . And hath raised us up together,
and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ
Jesus" (Ephesians 2:4-6).

Not even is this the end, for we are joint-heirs with
Christ, as our text assures us. He has been "appointed heir of
all things" (Hebrews 1:2), and we share His inheritance. "It
is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall
also live with Him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with
Him" (II Timothy 2:11-12).

Identified with Christ in His suffering, His death,
His burial, His resurrection, His ascension, and then in His
eternal reign! This is our position by faith. When He returns,
it will become actuality, "and so shall we ever be with
the Lord" (I Thessalonians 4:17). HMM