In 2 Timothy 2:12, the apostle Paul wrote, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him:” When considering verses such as this, pride causes man to disregard any thoughts of suffering with Christ and to immediately set his mind upon reigning with Him. Then, being generated by pride, such a mindset can only view the promise of reigning with Him as a means to acquire a position of status, prominence, and power over others. Too often, and to our shame, we, as professing believers, are still in pride and subsequently blinded to the will of God that is prescribed in the Holy Scriptures. I pray God will give you grace to meditate upon this teaching with a heart of humility so that you may have a proper perspective and power to both suffer and reign with Jesus.

I think it best to first define the sufferings of Christ. He did not suffer as a result of unrighteousness in His own life. He suffered in that he bore the unrighteousness of others — “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” (1 Peter 3:18). Please note that He suffered in order to bring unjust people to God. Additionally, His suffering did not only occur in the physical sense. Our natural tendency is to focus upon the outward and clearly visible suffering of the cross — Jesus was mocked, beaten, scourged, and crucified. This is all true and of great importance, but understand that He also suffered willingly in the unseen depths of His spirit and soul. While praying before the crucifixion, He said, “Father, If Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine be done” (Luke 22:42). The last few words of this prayer reveal the unseen, inner suffering I am pointing you to. Jesus willingly forsook His rights, reputation, and personal feelings for the sake of the Father and greater good of man. These inward, unseen issues of the heart had to suffer in order for the love of God and His will to be manifested outwardly on our behalf.

Look now at 1 Peter 2:19-24 — “For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously: Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” You see immediately that godly suffering experienced by Christians is not that which is encountered for wrongdoing, but rather for doing well. Next we see, “even hereunto were ye called”. Let this be engraved in the forefront of your mind. Children of God are called to partake of Christ’s sufferings, the just suffering for the unjust. In Matthew 5:38-45, Jesus says, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee, turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you,; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust”. Can you not see that, like Jesus, we too must willfully submit our reputation, rights, reasoning, and emotions to great suffering? All these must suffer in order to turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, bless them that curse us, and to pray for those who come against us. Jesus did not sin, spoke no deception, and did not strike back in word or deed. He is our example, and we are to follow in His steps. Will not our pride suffer if these godly virtues are to manifest in our lives? Are not our rights suffering each time we turn the other cheek? Do not the emotions of revenge suffer greatly when we forsake them and respond in love to our enemies? Does not our reasoning suffer when we choose to bless those who curse us and pray for those who persecute us? Does our reputation not suffer when we abstain from defending ourselves? Indeed, all these prideful traits are suffering death as a person walks in love. This inward suffering, within the unseen regions of our spirit and soul, is that which we are first called to partake of. A professing believer will never allow himself to suffer outwardly without first having the willingness to suffer inwardly. In doing so, we are partakers of Christ’s sufferings. This is how we take up our cross daily, are crucified with Christ, offer our bodies a living sacrifice, love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love our neighbor as we do ourselves (Luke 9:23, Romans 6:6 & 12:1, Mark 12:29-31). It is common for us to struggle in discerning what God has called us to do. This is it! Our lives are not fit to serve Him in any capacity until we are willing to allow our personal reputation, rights, reasoning, emotions, and yes, even our physical comforts, to suffer. Pride must suffer death! Once a heart has fully turned from self and to love, God orchestrates things in such a way that the individual is placed in the service for which he or she has been created. So, if you’re like I’ve been in the past, and struggling to figure out what ministry God has for you, Stop! First decide if you’re willing to partake of Christ’s sufferings. If so, take up your cross, giving your whole heart to love, and begin to walk it out right where you are. You will immediately find peace, and your ministry will soon find you.

We, as the children of God, suffer with Jesus for the same reasons that compelled Him — to satisfy the Father’s will and bring the unjust to God. It is only by our sharing in Christ’s sufferings that the lost can experience the love of God manifested in their individual lives. When a child of God responds to the unjust actions of sinners in love, the power of God is released to open their eyes, turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God (Acts 26:18). Through us, they can see Jesus. Instead of condemnation, they experience conviction. Instead of selfishness, they observe selflessness. Instead of cursing, they behold blessing. Instead of accusation, they experience kindness. Instead of a clutched fist, they witness an extended hand. Instead of bitterness, they savor the sweet taste of forgiveness. It is the goodness of God that leads men to repentance (Romans 2:4).

Reigning with Jesus has nothing to do with supremacy or dominion over other people. When strife arose among His disciples over who should be the greatest, Jesus replied saying, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called benefactors. But no so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves(Luke 22:25-27 NKJV). Did not Jesus also say, “For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45)? Likewise, we are not called to reign and exercise lordship over people, but rather to serve by offering our lives as a ransom for many. Now, considering all that I’ve shared, take a moment and meditate on the following verses — “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God” (1 Peter 4:1-2). Those who have suffered in the flesh have ceased from sin. While dwelling in His fleshly body, Jesus did not rule and reign over people; he served them. So, what declares His lordship, majesty, and righteousness? The answer is — holiness. Jesus, in the flesh, possessed complete and total reign over sin. He was tempted in all points as we are tempted, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Romans 5:17 says, “For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ”. The children of God reign with Jesus in that through partaking of His sufferings, we, by grace, also have dominion over sin. Does not Romans 6:14 say, “Sin shall not have dominion over you”? Did we not see that those who have suffered in the flesh have ceased from sin? Does not the scripture say that we should live the rest of our time in the flesh for the will of God? How can this be? Because, as we partake of Christ’s sufferings, the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life have no place to work in us (1 John 2:15-17). By the gift of righteousness and abundance of grace, we rule and reign over the carnal, Adam nature.

The desire to rule and reign over others is steeped in pride. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humility is the virtue of denying ones’ self for the greater good. True humility has been brought to light through this teaching. I hope you can now see that it is humility which satisfies the Father’s will, brings the unjust to God, and empowers us to reign over sin. This is the greater good! I will close with a brief exhortation from the apostle Peter concerning all that has been presented — “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, Knowing that ye were called to this that ye may inherit a blessing. For he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, . . .” (1 Peter 3:8-15 NKJV).