G.K. Chesterton remarked, "One can see great things from a valley, and only small things from a peak."
Does not this proverb ring true when we read what God has called us to in the committed following of His Son?
Paul told the believers in Rome, "If we are children, we are heirs of God, and fellow-heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him, in order that we may also be glorified with Him." (Rom 1:17)
All children of God are heirs of their Father. They are His inheritance, and He is their inheritance, and there is an eternal future of joy in everlasting life that all children, simply by the gift of their Father's grace, will experience in the age to come.
But, are all children "heirs with Christ"? Notice the change in the wording. From "heirs of God" (inheriting from God) to "heirs with Christ" (inheriting with God's Son). And notice the condition which is attached to the second heir-ship. "we are...heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him, in order that we may also be glorified with Him."
The second reward appears tied to a condition that we suffer with Christ. Is it possible that a greater reward, a greater "heir-ship," is granted to those who so identify with Christ in their living, and suffer for it? Clearly, other passages in the New Testament suggest a similar truth.
2 Timothy 2:11-12
if we have died with him, we will also life with him
if we endure, we will also reign with him
if we deny him, he also will deny us
2 Timothy 4:6-8
(Paul)...I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race
I have kept the faith.
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness...
which the Lord shall award...to all who have loved his appearing.
1 Peter 1:6-8
...so that the tested genuineness of your faith - more precious than gold --
may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of
Jesus Christ..
These are but a few passages which tie honor and glory to faithfulness and suffering with the Savior. The truth today is the truth that has been evident throughout the history of the Church. Some of God's children are not ready or unwilling to pay a price to follow Christ in this life, especially when the pricetag is suffering or self-denial. Does this mean they lose their eternal life, or never had it? Such is not the teaching nor tenor of Scripture. The gift of life is free, based on simple faith and God's lavish grace.
The award of honor and glory are gained. They are for fellow-heirs of Christ who step forward in discipleship, in the will of God, to suffer with Him, in order to also be glorified with Him. There will be some children, John tells us, who shrink away from Him at his coming (1 John 2:28-29). There will be others who have been looking for Jesus return every day, and living like it.
