If Indeed We Suffer With Him

Romans 8:16-17(NKJV)
16The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 
17and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Romans 8:18(NKJV)
18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 

I've written several times about the need to bear our tribulations with joy.  I've written about the growth that comes from going through things.  But this Scripture gives us yet another reason it is necessary.

We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him.
So the way I read that, if we don't suffer with Christ then we aren't joint heirs with Him. 

Now you might be inclined to think "Wow, that really sucks.  I thought Christ paid the price so I wouldn't have to?"  Well that is true as far as Christ paying the ultimate price for our sins goes.  However it doesn't mean we can't pitch in and help carry some of the load.

Now the second verse above is the promise that should make it a piece of cake to bear our tribulations joyfully.  the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory

God promises that it will be way more than worth whatever we are going through.  So no matter how bad things may get, keep a smile on your face because God has promised that the reward will always far exceed what you are going through!