Sharing in the Suffering and Glory of Jesus

By David R. Ferguson     It’s interesting when you study the Old Testament and, while doing so, you recognize its fulfillment coming alive in the New Testament. When Joshua and the Israelites crossed over the Jordan River into the Promised Land, they entered their inheritance. When we come to the Lord in obedient, saving faith, we receive many great blessings on top of having our sins removed. One of the greatest gifts we receive is we are adopted by God as His child legally, which is why from that point onward we become heirs to all that God has. The Apostle Paul writes about this process in Romans 8:16-17 [MEV], saying, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirits that we are the children of God, and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified with Him.”     This point Paul makes here is key and essential for us to know. The Holy Spirit of God, which Peter declared on the Day of Pentecost was given to obedient believers at baptism (Acts 2:38), bears witness to our spirit that we are, indeed, part of God’s family! But that’s not all the Spirit of God bears witness to. He also says we are now heirs of God and joint heirs with His Son Jesus! The entire inheritance of God becomes ours as we share it with His Son because we are also God’s child. And that’s very exciting to ponder.     But there’s also an “if” attached to this promise, and it’s important. We are children of God and co-heirs with Christ, if we share in His sufferings. By doing so, Paul says we then will share in His glory.     It’s difficult to suffer, but suffering for the sake of Christ is part of our inheritance we have in Him. Paul writes about this in 2 Timothy 3:12 [MEV], saying, “Yes, and all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” Since Christ suffered, then so will we, but for Christians this suffering becomes a great blessing. Jesus spoke of this Himself in His Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. “Blessed are you when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be very glad, because great is your reward in Heaven, for in this manner they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12 [MEV]).     Great, indeed, is our reward in Heaven where our Father and Elder Brother await us!

- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com