The Bible tells that if Christ be in us, then the Spirit of God bears witness that we are children of God, and as children heirs, but not just heirs, but joint-heirs with Christ Jesus (Romans 8:10, 16-17). This means that we also jointly inherit what God has provisioned for Jesus Christ, His Only begotten Son. The operative phrase in this text is “If Christ be in you”. This means that we ought to join with Christ, because He responds by joining in us with His Spirit. Jesus said, I am the Vine and you are branches, abide (join) in me an I in you (John 15:1,4). To abide in Jesus is to be grafted (joined) into the Vine. In horticulture, grafting is the process of fusing dissimilar plants so that the result is one plant. Likewise, when we join we Christ, we need to be fused with Him and we should be One with Him. And when we are One with Him, we are not just heirs, but joint-heirs with Him.
Point(s) to ponder:
- Are you joined with Christ i.e., Have you believed in Him and accepted Him as your Savior and Lord?
- Are you grafted with Him i.e., Are you fused with Jesus Christ and His Holiness. When the Root is Holy, the entire plant bears good fruit? What is the kind of fruit you/I are bearing?
Romans 8:16-17 (KJV)
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 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.
Mano Paul
Absolutely Suresh. To be in Christ is to be Rooted in Holiness to bear the fruit of His Spirit.
Suresh Chandra Bose
Praise God that we Gentiles are grafted (joined) in to the Vine (Christ). If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root. (Romans 11: 17)
A surprising thought from http://www.graftedbygrace.com is that grafting can also be used to repair disease, injury or create a new fruit bearing or flowering tree or plant. The result is a change in form, character and fruit bearing quality. Grafting provides a new foundation in the form of a more vigorous root system which increases the chance for survival.