During the Christmas season I get goose bumps listening to the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. “King of Kings and Lord of Lords…and He shall reign forever and ever…Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”. Doesn’t that make you want to listen to it right away? In Revelation 19:16, Jesus bears the name, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. The name emphasizes His Sovereignty. When you listen to the Hallelujah Chorus this season, remind yourself that you as a believer in Jesus Christ, are a joint heir with this magnificent King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Whether you have little or much to give or receive this Christmas; or whether you struggle with too many guests or grave loneliness; or have a heavy heart from the loss of a loved one; or are facing a health crisis, you can rejoice this Christmas in the King of Kings who loves you and has given you a hope and a future! Be encouraged with this study from Romans 8:5-18, as we look at truths worth singing about.
Our PAST…Spiritual Orphans!
- In Romans 8:5-9, we see that we were enemies of God because we were carnally minded and only cared about pleasing the flesh, not the Spirit (Romans 8:7). We were a part of the world system ruled by the devil.
- Before we received the Spirit of Christ, we were not His (Romans 8:9). It is incorrect to say that all people are God’s children…we are all His creation…but not all His children.
- One could say that we were born “spiritual orphans” in need of adoption.
Our PRESENT…Something to Sing About…We Have Been Adopted!
In Romans 8:10-17a, we see our present relationship with God.
We are Sons of God (Children of God)
If you have the Spirit of God dwelling in you, you are now His. If you do not have the Spirit of God dwelling in you, you are not His,but you can be today. Read and respond to Romans 10:9-10.
We the “orphans” have been “adopted” and have been given new life! Hallelujah!! “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father’” (Romans 8:14-15). Abba is an Aramaic term indicating an informal and intimate term for father like Daddy or Papa.
A little story to illustrate the point… As a kid, I remember my aunt and uncle caring for foster kids. One day they announced the adoption of a daughter. Though the foster kids were treated well, we could not help but see that the adopted daughter had special treatment. She had her own room and special toys. In addition, we saw that her last name changed to the adopted parents’ name. Though the foster kids called them Mr. & Mrs., the adopted daughter called them Mommy and Daddy (Abba, father). This daughter was also now positioned to be their heir.
We Are Children of God and Heirs of God
Romans 8:16-17a: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs- heirs of God…” Awesome!
1 John 3:1-3: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
Wow!! Now that is something to sing about!
Joint Heirs with Christ
- All the Father has, has been given to Jesus…and jointly to us. Jesus has been appointed heir of all things (Hebrew 1:2). Hallelujah! “and if children, then heirs- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, …” (Romans 8:17). We can count it a privilege to suffer with Him! Halleluah even to that!
- Ladies, no matter our standing in this earthly life, we are heiresses! I know we can sing about that!
Our FUTURE…More to Sing About…Glorified!
- “…if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:17-18).
- We go from suffering with Christ to being glorified with Christ. Glorification is the final state that God had in mind for us since the fall of Adam and Eve.
“And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there. They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:3-5).
Hallelujah!
- Sing! Make melody in your heart this Christmas! (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16)
- Don’t let the pressures of the world’s fake Christmas depress you.
- Celebrate the real Christmas!
- Celebrate God who took former enemies of God and made us to be His children and joint heirs with Christ!
Let Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus lead you into worship of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords this Christmas! Not only will He reign forever and ever, but we will reign with Him forever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Amen!
