by Matt Chandler
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Romans 8:16–17

Paul said the Spirit bears witness to our spirit. It is so hard for us to believe God loves us, delights in us, and cheers us on in Christ, but Paul said the Spirit testifies to us that we are children of God. There are two ways He does that, and they sort of merge into a single word. First, we have a desire for obedience to God (although it’s imperfectly executed). And then there is a gladness of heart in the Lord (certainly of varying degrees at varying times). A desire for obedience plus gladness of heart. Together these form the simple word pursuit. We pursue God.
Now, what does that pursuit look like? Well, it’s always going to involve the Word of God; it’s always going to involve spending time with God in prayer. The rest may depend on your gifting and personality and circumstances.
But then Paul said we’re “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.” We learn that you and I will reign with Jesus in a remade heaven and earth. Part of our inheritance is a resurrected body. Our bodies will one day be replaced with bodies that will not be broken down. Then, ultimately and best of all, we get God! If you got the new heaven and the new earth and you got your new body, but you didn’t get God, then it wouldn’t be worth it. The soul was created for Him. And the good news of the gospel is that because of Jesus Christ, we get God regardless of our circumstances.
But then Paul said we are heirs “provided we suffer with him.” Anyone else wish that little sentence weren’t in there?
Ed Welch once said we think sanctification looks like strength when it actually looks like weakness. Sanctification is not you with your chest puffed out, a cape in the wind, having just memorized the book of Romans. No, it looks like you’re tired, weary, and busted up. It’s the mercy of God, in fact, to at times wound you like a surgeon would wound a patient who needs to live. Don’t despise the difficult days. God is at work in the mess. It’s imperative that we keep our eyes on our inheritance.

Thought to Remember for Today

You know, it pleased the heart of God to save you. Today, ask the Lord to continue testifying to you by His Spirit that you are His, that you are deeply loved, forever pardoned, eternally justified, and gloriously promised a great inheritance.

Fitzpatrick, E. (2016). Grace untamed: a 60-day devotional. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook.