Share In His Suffering

“If we are children of God, we will receive everything He has promised us. We will share with Christ all the things God has given to Him. But we must share His suffering if we are to share His shining greatness.” - Romans 8:17 
 
 
Yesterday, we learned that as children of God, we will share in the riches and blessings given to Jesus by God. This means we not only are blessed in regards to the mercy and grace He gives us, the love He shows us, and the destiny He has created for us, but He also wants us to share in Jesus’ glory. 
 
We see this in Romans 8:17, which says, “If we are children of God, we will receive everything He has promised us. We will share with Christ all the things God has given to Him. But we must share His suffering if we are to share His shining greatness.” As children of God, we will share all the things God has given Him. 
 
But the verse doesn’t end there. As great as it is that we will share in His reward, it also says, “But we must share His suffering if we are to share His shining greatness.” We must share in His suffering. While we are on earth, life is not always sunshine and butterflies. Just because you become a Christian does not mean you have escaped suffering. 
 
Christianity does not make you immune from trials, tribulations, heartache, difficulties, and pain. John 16:33 tells us this; “I have told you these things so that you may have peace in Me. In the world, you will have much trouble. But take hope! I have power over the world!”  
 
Jesus is assuring us that in this world, “you will have much trouble.” There will be pain and suffering. That is what comes with sin. And we know, as human beings, we all sin. If you are a believer of Christ, you are an heir that gets to share in His glory, but you also share in His suffering. But only for a time. There will come a day when all suffering ends. Jesus will overcome the world!