The fact that God made us joint heirs with Christ is the mystery that Paul talks about in Ephesians and again in Colossians "Christ in you, the hope of Glory"

This mystery was "hidden" as it says in

1Corinthians 2:7-8 "
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto OUR glory; Which NONE of the princes of this world knew; for had they known the mystery, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.

Keep in mind that Lucifer, Satan, did not know, that God would raise his son from the dead; and that all who would believe in him, would also be raised from the dead and have eternal life! As it says in the previous scripture, if he had known; he would never have crucified the Lord of Glory!

The fact that all who believe in this are now Sons and Daughters of God; as Jesus was a Son of God. The Book of Romans sets forth our "sonship rights". It is my belief that the book of Romans is placed immediately after the Book of Acts (when Christ ascends to heaven)even though it was one of the last books Paul wrote. God is emphatically trying to tell us that we are His children by the union with Jesus Christ in death, and especially in his resurrection. He promises that he too will also resurrect us; if we happen to die physically before Christs' return.

Now, if you get your bible and turn to Romans, you can follow along; remember that through the first Adam that sin and death entered the world; and that through the the second Adam; Jesus that righteousness and life was returned. Turn to chapter 5 in Romans and read it for yourself;

Romans 5:9-14

"Much more then,being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God(Jesus' mission) by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life(resurrection). And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world (Adam)and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned;(For until the law sin was in the world;but sin is not imputed(counted) when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come."

The first sin (Adam and Eve's) brought death the the human race; it was universal. Death reigned from Adam until Moses all died even sinless infants, moral people, and religious people, equally with the sinners. Through Adam's sin, many were made sinners. Equally, through Jesus Christ many more were made righteous.

Romans 5:15
"But not as the offence, so also is the free gift(grace=unmeritted divine favour).For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many."

Romans 5:19
"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."

We must identify with "the new man" the resurrected Christ Jesus; please read Romans chapter 6.

verse 5; "For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall also be in the likeness of his resurrection;"

verse 6; "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."

verse 7; "For he that is dead is free from sin."

verse 8; "Now if we be dead with Christ; we believe that we shall also live with him;"

verse 9 "Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him."

Because of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ Jesus we are no longer under the "law" but under "grace" which remember means; undeserved divine favour. It is the "gift" of God. see Romans 6:14

"For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace"

Once again, remember that through Adams sin he brought us both physical death but also spiritual death, he took away our "soul-life." Thus the reason for Jesus. His job was to "take back" what Adam had given away. To reconcile man back to God. When we identify with the resurrected Christ Jesus, confess with our mouth that he is Lord, and believe that GOD raised him from the dead then we become "born again" of God's spirit. Until then, we are only born of the flesh, dead to God. We all have a choice, and when we choose not to decide; we still have made a choice.

I encourage all my brothers and sisters to pray this prayer; it doesn't cost anything;

Pray for Understanding

God, I would like you to show me if you exist. If you are God, you are so far above me that I cannot force you to do anything. Whatever you choose to show me must be your choice - your time and your way. I can understand you not showing yourself to people who have little desire to know you. I will show my sincerity by at least reading what is written here, looking for things that might help me find you. And why should you bother showing yourself to someone who would continue to ignore you anyway? If you show me there is a powerful, caring God who made me and wants the best for me, I will give you your rightful place as God of my life by obeying and trusting your love and wisdom.

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