Glorified Together

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are 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 together. 

Romans 8:16 & 17 

What is the future of the children of God? If we are the children of God, then we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Therefore we are who we are and receive what we receive because of our indissoluble union with Christ. This means what He receives from the world, we also receive. This entails suffering in the present. Christ was clear that if the world hated Him, it would hate us. Since they were against Him, they will be against us. The story does not end with suffering. Christ is now in glory, being glorified, and shall reveal Himself to the world as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He shall reign and according to John, we shall reign with Him. Because we are united with Him, when He is glorified we shall be glorified together. This gives us needed perspective on our sufferings now. Whatever they are, as we suffer with Him, they are miniscule in contrast to the glory which we shall experience. In another place, Paul calls them, ‘our light affliction which is but for a moment.’ The glory that follows what we suffer now is far above what we can conceive until we see it.  

Our Great and Glorious God, 
we rejoice at the eternity You have for us. 
We praise You that all we have, 
is because of Christ.  

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning