Page 94 - Prophetic Word Newsletter Archive 2010

The ultimate contrast between the foundation and the building is the distinction between

the BODY of Christ and the BRIDE of Christ:
“THE FOUNDATION” “THE BUILDING”

THE OF THE OF
CHRIST CHRIST

Rom.8:15-18

“…YOU RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF AND JOINT HEIRS WITH CHRIST,
ADOPTION BY WHOM WE CRY OUT,
‘ABBA, FATHER’. IF INDEED WE SUFFER WITH HIM,
THE SPIRIT BEARS WITNESS THAT WE MAY ALSO
WITH OUR SPIRIT THAT BE GLORIFIED TOGETHER,
WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD, FOR I CONSIDER THAT THE SUFFERINGS OF
IFAND THIS PRESENT TIME ARE NOT WORTHY TO BE
CHILDREN THEN HEIRS- COMPARED WITH THE GLORY WHICH SHALL

HEIRS OF GOD BE REVEALED IN US.”

“IF” is the biggest little word in the Bible. Paul uses two of those if’s above. The first “if” states that if we
have laid the foundation of Jesus Christ in our lives then we have become members of the Body of
Christ, children of God, and heirs of God with the hope of eternal life abiding in us. Paul states in Titus:

“THAT HAVING BEEN JUSTIFIED BY HIS GRACE WE SHOULD BECOME
HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE.” Titus 3:7

The second “IF” Paul uses in Romans 8:15-18 identifies the criteria for “heirs of God” to become “joint
heirs with Christ. It requires an embracing of the perfecting work of suffering. Again Paul reminds us:

“FOR TO YOU IT HAS BEEN GRANTED ON BEHALF OF CHRIST,
NOT ONLY TO BELIEVE IN HIM, BUT ALSO TO SUFFER FOR HIS SAKE.” Phil. 1:29

Why does God want His people to suffer with Christ? So that they may reign with Him:

“IF WE SUFFER (ENDURE) WE SHALL ALSO REIGN WITH HIM” 2 Tim. 2:12

The highest reward God’s people can receive is to be joint heirs with Christ. This is not achieved merely
by laying the foundation. We must build on that foundation. Among the many mysteries (hidden truths)
spelled out in the Bible is the Bride of Christ. Paul called it a “great mystery”:

“…CHRIST 1 THAT HE MIGHT SANCTIFY 2
LOVED THE AND CLEANSE IT WITH THE
WASHING OF WATER BY THE
CHURCH
AND GAVE WORD, THAT HE MIGHT
PRESENT IT TO HIMSELF A
HIMSELF GLORIOUS CHURCH, NOT
FOR IT, HAVING SPOT OR WRINKLE
OR ANY SUCH THING, BUT
THAT IT SHOULD BE HOLY
AND WITHOUT BLEMISH…

Pastor Randy Shupe

THIS IS A GREAT MYSTERY, BUT I SPEAK CONCERNING CHRIST AND THE CHURCH.” Eph. 5:25-31