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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 ESV

“suffer with” is an interesting Greek word — sumpascho, the sum of passions. Part of your inheritance with Christ is an equal share of the heart of God and the ability to passionately and deeply “deeply feel with” God.  As a co-heir with Christ, you have the same amount of God’s heart living in you as Jesus does.

Through the Holy Spirit, we join with Jesus and our hearts are softened and transformed so that we deeply feel with Him. As we feel with Him we are also glorified with Him.  An important part of our transformation into Christlike children of God has to do with our ability to feel.  We should be known as deeply feeling people — not dramatic,  flamboyant, or manipulative, but as a people with healed, healthy, authentically compassionate, sometimes aching and sometimes rejoicing hearts.

Are you willing to feel deeply together with God?

Our ability to be like Christ and our ability to be the body of Christ is directly connected to our willingness to deeply feel with God and with people. To do this we must be committed to healing and freedom from the things that have damaged our hearts and built fortifications against healthy feelings. We must take an aggressive stance against apathy and complacency. And we must hold the merciful, loving grace of Father God in high esteem and the compassion of Christ as our ideal. There is no better place to begin this heart transformation than in an intimate, encouraging spiritual family.

May God fill you completely with joy and peace!
Matt

Matt Neese
Wellspring.Live