Paul here is stating that our heir-ship (inheritance) is conditional:
“if so be that.” So, what is the condition? “That we suffer with Him.”
Notice the definition of suffer: 1. To feel pain or distress; sustain loss,
injury, harm, or
punishment. 2. To tolerate or endure evil, injury, pain, or death.
3. To appear at a disadvantage. Particularly
the Christian can suffer by feeling mental distress or injury. Christians
sustain loss of friends; they have to endure evil. Sometimes the Christian
is put to a disadvantage by those who hate them. So far as human kind are
concerned, no one should seek to “suffer.” Yet the scripture has a lot
to say about Christians suffering. Peter said Christ is our example: “For
even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving
us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). Why would
a loving God want His people to suffer? It is not the case that God “wants”
us to suffer; but, rather, God knew that those who follow Him would constantly
find disfavor in the eyes of the world thus causing them to suffer. For
this reason, willingness to suffer will be one f the ways that God
can test our spiritual fortitude.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS WE MIGHT SUFFER?
Many Christians have suffered through poverty: “Hearken, my beloved
brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and
heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” (James
2:5). he Christian does not place his stock in materialism. The Christian
seeks first and foremost the kingdom of God and not the things of the world
(Matthew 6:33). Paul instructs us to be content: “And having food and
aiment let us be therewith content” (1 Timothy 6:8). One of the greatest
problems in the Lord’s church today is aterialism. Of course, there
is always the pressure brought about by temptations: “My brethren, count
it all joy then ye fall into divers temptations; {3} Knowing this,
that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2-3). because
we are committed to God’s principles and righteous instructions, we suffer
from Satan’s attempts to overthrow our faith. From time to time,
there will be persecution: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ
Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). The Christian life is
unique and so different from the world that we often find ourselves
the brunt of certain crude remarks and judgments from those around us.
Many Christians have suffered even to death: “For whosoever will
save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake
shall find it” (Matthew 16:25). Even today, we occasionally hear of someone
being killed because of their Christian life. It is not uncommon in Moslem
controlled countries like Pakistan. It has also happened in India. WHY
SUFFER? Christ is glorified through our suffering, so we suffer for his
sake: “For unto
you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on
him, but also to suffer for his sake” (Philippians 1:29).
We suffer to be winners in Him: “Yea doubtless, and I count all
things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus
my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count
them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Philippians 3:8). Since the scripture
speaks often of the suffering of our Lord, why would he think we
should be immune to like suffering. The apostles believed that suffering
for the cause of Christ was a worthy thing: “And they departed from the
presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer
shame for his name” (Acts 5:41) . Paul said we suffer “that we might be
also glorified together” with Him (Romans 8:17). Then Paul reminds us of
just how wonderful that glory will be: “For I reckon that the sufferings
of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which
shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). So, when we are suffering for the
cause of Christ, let’s not forget the glory that is awaiting for those
who die faithful in Christ.
—John D. Cotham
Shady Valley, TN