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