“And if children, then heirs – heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ – if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:17).

This verse is not popular with American Christians. If we want to use God for our own gain, we don’t want to talk about suffering with Christ. But the Son of God set an example before us: Deny yourself, sacrifice your own desires for others, and you find great blessing is the result. The Father sent His son to suffer in our place. Don’t tell me that’s not the Father’s will.

And if we are children of God (speaking clearly to mature Christians), then we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Everything the Father owns is already at your disposal. But, Paul does give us clear condition to that promise. “If… we suffer with Him“.

What does “suffer with Christ” mean? It means we stop being selfish and seeking worldly blessings. We cease looking out for number one and start making investments in others. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart…soul…mind…and strength…and your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31). In other words, we behave like Christ behaved.

Just as Jesus laid down His life for others, and then was glorified, so we sacrifice first, then receive reward.

Tags: heir, suffering