A suggested rendering of this well-known verse runs somewhat as follows— “And if children then heirs, heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if so be that we co-suffer with Him that we may be also co-glorified.”
It is a suggestive rendering also, whatever the apparent uncouthness of the phraseology. For the addition of the short prefix co- to the three words, “heirs,” “suffer,” and “glorified” —quite legitimate apparently as an attempt at a literal translation of the original—does most forcibly bring out the truth that in all these things association with Christ is the ruling idea. This at all events is the prominent thought remaining, the impression left, as the verse closes, that in all the three things spoken of, heirship, suffering, and glorification, the spirit-led child of God stands not alone, but connected, associated with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
And again, how wide a range of Christian truth this thought suggests. Association with Christ! how important and far-reaching a truth! As a specific doctrine in the New Testament scripture its appearance is frequent; and still more often where not openly expressed does the general truth of the believer's association with Christ underlie and give the clue to what is taught. Instances of this latter this same Epistle to the Romans abundantly furnishes. But first of all it may be remarked how clear a part of the New Testament revelation this truth forms. How clearly we learn there that God's salvation stops not short of, but involves, this—the Christian's association, vital association with the Lord Jesus Christ risen and glorified. The grace of God, we must remember, is no mere matter of meeting the bare necessities of our individual case, desperate as it was.
“Trembling, we had hoped for mercy—Some low place within the door.”
But, once within, we learn that God has destined us to enter into the enjoyment, not of what we thought needful, but. of what He has thought fit to bestow. And is not this wherein the exceeding riches of His grace is shown? To be saved, to be blessed even because of Christ, were something wonderful.
But to be blessed with Christ, to enter into spiritual blessedness connected with, in partnership with, associated with, His well-beloved Son, Who on the cross for us so perfectly accomplished the work of atonement to God's glory, and has since been raised from the dead by the glory of the Father what can be said of this? Co-partakers with Christ in all that by His death He has won and achieved, that is what we are by grace. A place of blessing ours far exceeding all we could have asked or thought. But it was God's thought for us, as His word makes plain. The scripture makes it clear that this indeed is embraced in His eternal purpose regarding us. Regarding Christ, may we not say, for it is Christ whom His purposes and counsels have as their center. All is linked with Him. The wonderful truth indeed is that God, in His own wisdom, of His own holy will, and for the glory of His well-beloved Son, predestinated us, not merely to be blessed through Him; but to share with Him all the grace, and blessedness and glory of the place and position His death has won!
(To be continued)