Spurgeon Meditations

 

If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him.

Ti2 0 12

We must not imagine that we are suffering for Christ and with Christ if we are not in Christ. Beloved friend are you trusting to Jesus only? If not whatever you may have to mourn over on earth you are not "suffering with Christ land have nohope of reigning with Him in heaven. Neither are we to concludethat all a Christian's sufferings are sufferings with Christ,for it is essential that he be called by God to suffer. If weare rash and imprudent, and run into positions for which neitherprovidence nor grace has fitted us, we ought to question whetherwe are not rather sinning than communing with Jesus. If we letpassion take the place of judgment, and self-will reign insteadof Scriptural authority, we shall fight the Lord's battles withthe devil's weapons, and if we cut our own fingers we must notbe surprised. Again, in troubles which come upon us as theresult of sin, we must not dream that we are suffering withChrist. When Miriam spoke evil of Moses, and the leprosypolluted her, she was not suffering for God. Moreover, sufferingwhich God accepts must have God's glory as its end. If Isuffer that I may earn a name, or win applause, I shall get noother reward than that of the Pharisee. It is requisite alsothat love to Jesus, and love to His elect, be ever themainspring of all our patience. We must manifest the Spirit ofChrist in meekness, gentleness, and forgiveness. Let us searchand see if we truly suffer with Jesus. And if we do thussuffer, what is our light affliction" compared with reigning with Him? Oh it is so blessed to be in the furnace with Christ and such an honour to stand in the pillory with Him that if there were no future reward we might count ourselves happy in present honour; but when the recompense is so eternal so infinitely more than we had any right to expect shall we not take up the cross with alacrity and go on our way rejoicing?


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