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“If we suffer, we shall reign with Christ” 2 Tim 2:12

Longsuffering, indeed longsuffering, is needed to accomplish the lofty profession of Christianity. Christians are not promised worldly power, nor wealth, not any of that sort which will pass away like shadow. For the things of this world are in their nature no-wise better than dreams. For just those who live in poverty or suffer some kind of punishment, when they have fallen asleep owing to their many toils and the extreme bitterness of their life, in their dreams see themselves living in luxury and prosperity, are in no wise grateful to their dreams after they have awaked. That rich man, having become rich in this present life, as it were in dreams, after his departure hence was punished with that bitter punishment. Lk 16: 19-26. Still more wonderful is men’s aspiration for such type of transient life. Those that are attacked with the love of this temporal world are willing to undergo almost any toil and hardship just to attain wealth or power or reputation or their derivatives in this world.

Christians are promised to reign with the Almighty Christ for an infinite time, not to reign in this world that is like a glimpse. For in this world, leave alone those who reign with him, the so called king himself is exposed to many risks such as the wrath of the populace, likelihood of getting deposed, assassination, revolt, and the like. The ruler of today may also be an ordinary citizen tomorrow. But the reign of Christians is never subjected to any of such risks. Our king, Christ, is far from such intrigues and dangers. A Christian never becomes an ordinary citizen after being a ruler, or a poor man after being rich, or without honor after being held in honor; but he abides rich even when he is poor, and is exited when he strives to humble himself, and from the rule which he exercises no human being can depose him. Even before realizing the unspeakable happiness and glory by reigning with Christ in the world to come, a Christian is a real master, a king, in this world, being above any passion that reigns over others.

To reign with Christ, what is expected of us is to bear the temporal sufferings that might befall on us while we are in the flesh with forbearance. But this temptation and suffering is nothing when compared with the glory that is prepared for us and that will be enjoyed in the due time. As St. Paul affirms this boldly saying "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us". Rom. 8:18. Not only are the tribulations in the flesh incomparable to the glory that is to be revealed in us but also they are the means of such glory as the same apostle says: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" 1 Cor. 4:17 - 18

If one is taken to a palace where all are vested with golden raiments, the king with all lavish adornments sitting on his throne surrounded by his assistants, and other lustrous and attractive things there, and is promised to be placed in the ranks of this people, would he not do everything to be worthy of this promise? If so, when we are invited to be partakers of that reign in which our Lord will appear with unspeakable glory, in an assembly consisting of not only men but also holy angels, shall we deprive ourselves of such great blessings in order to avoid suffering for a brief period. For if we have to endure countless deaths every day for the sake of seeing Christ coming in His glory and being enrolled in His company of the saints, to be one of those who shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father, ought we not undergo any affliction in such so brief time of our age?.

Even though any affliction and tribulation in the flesh can never be counted as something material for the sake of partaking in the coming glory and reigning with Christ, from His lovingkindness to us, even He does not require us to suffer more than our measure. He is the source of our perseverance amidst temptations. He gives us both the way out as well as the energy to overcome, as is said by the blessed apostle; "There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it". 1 Cor. 10:13. His very interest is that we shall show our willingness to be with Him, to need His help, and to abhor sin. If we be such minded, He is the one who gives the increase. Our Savior has empowered us to bear and do all things through His grace and assistance. Therefore, with the energy and assistance from Him, we need to suffer to reign with Christ. May our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ help us to patiently bear whatever befalls on us and understand the very transitory nature of this world, and receive us worthy of His eternal glory through His unspeakable love of man.