Suffering With Christ

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 does it mean to suffer with Christ? In the midst of declaring the glorious facts of our standing as the children of God, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ, Paul raises the subject of suffering with Him. What does that have to do with the glorious things Paul has been articulating? The words of Christ are helpful. On the night before He went to the cross, as He was concluding His remarks to His disciples in the upper room, He said, ‘If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.’ Our union with Christ is an indissoluble one. Therefore, if we are to enjoy the inheritance from God the Father which is ours because of our vital union with Christ, we should be aware that we will receive similar treatment while we are here on the earth. It is important for us to realize that genuine persecution must, of necessity, be about Christ and the gospel. If we are behaving badly and attaching religion to our bad behavior, opposition to that behavior is not persecution. True persecution is against Christ, and those who are setting forth His truth. We accept that treatment, because we are then suffering with Christ. We are with Him in every way.  

Our Gracious God and our Savior, 
we rejoice in what You have endured for us. 
We praise You that we have the privilege 
of suffering with You. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning