142. ROM 8:17. SUFFERING AND GLORIFICATION

Rom_8:17. Suffering and Glorification

"If so be, that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."’97Rom_8:17.

The end of God’s redeeming arrange merits is, that we may be conformed to the image of his Son. This is man’s highest dignity and greatest felicity. This likeness is commenced in justification, wherein we are conformed to Christ’s likeness; it is particularly formed in regeneration, by which we become partakers of the divine nature; it is progressively carried on in sanctification, as we are thus changed into Christ’s image, from glory to glory, by the Spirit of the Lord; it is completed in glorification, where we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Now, if the believer is to be conformed to Christ’s dignifying image, need we wonder that ho should also be called to partake in the fellowship of his sufferings? Both of these are exhibited in the text. For observe, I. The Believer must suffer with Christ. And then, II. They shall be glorified together.

I. The Believer must suffer with Christ

"If so be, that we suffer with him." Suffering is the lot of our common humanity. The Christian, however, has sorrows of a peculiar character’97sufferings for Christ and conscience’ sake.

1. The believer is often called upon to suffer,

(1) Poverty.

(2) Temptation.

(3) Persecution and reproach.

(4) Sometimes the loss of all things, and life itself. But,

2. The believer suffers with Christ.

That is,

(1) He suffers them for Christ’s sake. From faith in, and love to Christ.

(2) He suffers them in Christ’s spirit. That is, meekly, patiently, resignedly, prayerfully.

(3) He suffers them to Christ’s glory. This is his object, and great aim, that the Saviour may be honored.

Observe, that those who suffer with Christ,

II. Shall be glorified together.

1. They shall be glorified.

That is, they shall be exalted, dignified, enriched, amply rewarded, and eternally blessed. But,

2. They shall be glorified with Christ,

Have a share in his glory; glorified as he is glorified.

(1) With Christ they shall have the perfect approval of the Father. He shall say: "Well done," &c.; Mat_25:21.

(2) With Christ they shall possess glorious resurrection-bodies. Bodies spiritual, luminous, and incorruptible. "Fashioned like unto his glorious body;" Php_3:21.

(3) With Christ they shall be exalted to God’s right hand, Mat_25:34.

(4) With Christ they shall be enthroned, and have dominion, and power, and authority; Rev_3:21.

(5) With Christ they shall drink of the fulness of divine pleasures; Mat_26:29.

(6) With Christ they shall shine forth in their Father’s kingdom forever and ever. See Joh_17:21-22; Joh_21:7; 1Co_6:2; Rev_1:56.

Application

1. Let the Christian suffer joyfully with Christ to the end. 2. Let the Christian live in the anticipation cf future bliss. 3. Let not the cross be thrown aside. Observe, it is said: "If so be, that we suffer with him." And we may reasonably affirm, that if we do not suffer with him, we shall not be glorified together.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS