What Does It Mean to Share in the Sufferings of Christ?
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” Romans 8:17.
This passage tells us if we share in Christ’s sufferings, we will also share in His glory. But what does it mean to “share in His sufferings” exactly? To read this passage in Romans 8 to get some context, click here.
Other Ways to Say This
I believe this same idea is scattered throughout the Bible. I think the idea here is essentially the same as:
Obedience produces maturity (Romans 6:16)
The fear of God leads to wisdom (Proverbs 9:10)
Work or effort brings us into rest (Hebrews 4:11)
Humility leads to exaltation (1 Peter 5:6)
Resisting temptation (the devil) makes it flee (James 4:7)
The narrow path leads to life (Mathew 7: 13,14)
The wilderness is the way to the promise land (Joshua 1-24)
All of these involve death to sin, needs and self. In essence, that means we need to lay down our life. That involves self-restraint, self-control and self-denial. In other words, we need to be crucified with Christ so we can’t meet our own needs (in ways God has not given us) or take care of ourselves.
Crucified With Christ
Think about what it means to be crucified with Christ for a minute. If our hands and feet are nailed to the cross, we are helpless and incapacitated. We have no choice but to rely completely on God to meet our needs, take care of us and give us life.
This might be easier to grasp for someone who has an addiction or compulsion of some kind. Rather than using your hands and feet to get what you need to satisfy your craving, tell yourself you are crucified with Christ and are unable to do that.
It might even help to literally put your hands up as though on a cross. And say Lord, I can’t meet my need in this unhealthy way because I’m crucified. Please meet it for me.
I don’t believe the “suffering” in the verse is the suffering of calamity and tragedy, such as loss of children or shortened life. I don’t believe it primarily refers to anything that will produce lasting sorrow.
Rather, I think it’s partly the suffering involved in resisting the devil (or temptation). “Resist him [the devil], standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings” 1st Peter 5:9.
I believe it’s the suffering involved in saying “no” to sin, to needs, to self. And instead trusting God to meet our needs with His promises, until the fulfillment of the promises come.
But I believe the suffering of calamity and tragedy can also enable us to share in His glory. That is if we respond to it in faith and obedience. However, I don’t believe that’s God first choice for us. I think He would much prefer we learn our lessons the easier, less painful way.
God Is a Good Parent
But God is a good parent. If we refuse to learn the easy way, He will subject us to the hard, painful way. This is because He wants us to be blessed, live an abundant life and share in His glory. Any amount of pain is worth it if it enables us to do this, wouldn’t you agree?
To read another post similar to What Does It Mean to Share in the Sufferings of Christ, click here: Suffering Well: How Joseph Did It.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2022-2023 Anita Wood