Provided We Suffer With Him

In "Provided We Suffer With Him," Pastor Robert McNutt concludes his treatment of Romans 8:12-17 by turning to the phrase that closes verse 17: "provided we suffer with Him, in order that we also may be glorified with Him." Why does Paul, having soared through the glories of adoption and heirship, suddenly raise suffering? Because he had a pastor's heart for believers in Rome who were enduring real hardship, and because suffering is his final argument for assurance. Since we are united to Christ, as Romans 6 teaches, we share not only His inheritance but His sufferings. The world hated the Light of the world, and Jesus foretold that it would treat His people the same way: "a servant is not greater than his master." Acts records exactly that, and the epistles teach that our afflictions are a fellowship in Christ's own sufferings (2 Corinthians 1, Philippians 1, James 1, 1 Peter 1 and 4). So suffering for Christ's sake is not evidence that God's promises have failed, but proof that we belong to Him; when Satan whispers otherwise, we resist him with that truth. Further, suffering is God's preparation for glory. Christ Himself was made perfect through suffering and learned obedience by what He suffered, and this "light momentary affliction" is producing in us an eternal weight of glory. Pastor McNutt calls believers to count it all joy in trials, trusting God's sovereign, providential purpose to present them spotless before the Father. He closes with a warning from Hebrews 12: one who claims Christ yet knows no discipline should examine whether he is truly a son, and with a clear call to repent and believe the gospel.