If we suffer, we shall also reign with him. 2 Timothy chapter 2 verse 12. We must not imagine that we are suffering for Christ and with Christ if we're not in Christ. Beloved friend, are you trusting to Jesus only? If not, whatever you may have to mourn over on earth, you're not suffering with Christ and have no hope of reigning with him in heaven.

Neither are we to conclude that all a Christian's sufferings are sufferings with Christ for it is essential that he be called by God to suffer. If we are rash and imprudent and run into positions for which neither providence nor grace has fitted us we ought to question whether we are not rather sinning than communing with Jesus. If we let passion take the place of judgment and self-will reign instead of scriptural authority we shall fight the Lord's battles with the devil's weapons and if we cut our own fingers we must not be surprised.

Again in troubles which come upon us as the result of sin we must not dream that we're suffering with Christ. When Miriam spoke evil of Moses and the leprosy polluted her, she was not suffering for God. Moreover, suffering which God accepts must have God's glory as its end. If I suffer that I may earn a name or win applause I shall get no other reward than that of the Pharisee. It is requisite also that love to Jesus and love to his elect be ever the mainspring of all our patience. We must manifest the Spirit of Christ in meekness, gentleness, and forgiveness.

Let us search and see if we truly suffer with Jesus. And if we do thus suffer, 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 honor to stand in the pillory with him, that if there were no future reward, we might count ourselves happy in present honor. 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?