Audio Download
The Hope of Glory – Part 2, The Fellowship of Christ’s Sufferings and the Prize of Reigning with Him
[Study Aired November 15, 2026]
This is part 2 of our study of why suffering relates to the hope of glory and reigning with Christ.
- Grace, Good Works, the Inheritance, and the Prize of the High Calling
Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
These verses establish an essential foundation for understanding suffering, obedience, and reward.
Salvation is a gift of God’s grace, not a wage earned by our works. We cannot place God in our debt through suffering, sacrifice, or personal effort.
God’s free gift of grace is not the ‘get out of jail free’ card that many believe. The word ‘teaching’ in Titus 2:12 is the Greek word ‘paideuo’, and ‘paideuo’ is defined as ‘chasten’. This is the same Greek word we find in Hebrews 12:6:
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth [paideuo], and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening [paideuo], God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth [paideuo] not?
Because God’s grace chastens us, Paul can also say that we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.
Grace does not make obedience unimportant. Rather, God’s work in us is the source of the obedience that follows.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For [G1063: ‘gar’, because] we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
We are saved “by grace through faith… because we are His workmanship.” We are not saved because of our faith. Our faith and His chastening grace “are His workmanship.”
Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Scripture speaks of inheritance and reward while also teaching that salvation is by God’s gift of His chastening grace. These truths must be held together.
1 Corinthians 3:13–15 explains that each person’s work will be tested. Those whose work endures will receive a reward, while those whose works are burned up will suffer loss, although the passage also speaks of the person whose works are burned up still being saved.
1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. [“The lake of fire”, (Rev 20:11-15)]
Therefore, our works do not purchase salvation, but Scripture does connect faithfulness, the testing of our works, and a promised reward of “inheritance… of a kingdom.”
The apostle Paul defines this inheritance in Ephesians 5:5, warning that no immoral, impure, or greedy person has any inheritance in the “kingdom of Christ and of God.” Similarly, Colossians 1:12-13 credits the Father for qualifying believers to “share in the inheritance of the saints in the light” and delivering them into the kingdom of His Son:
Eph 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Col 1:13 Who hath delivered [aorist tense] us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [aorist tense] us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Both verbs, ‘delivered’ and ‘translated’ are in the aorist tense. This demonstrates that we are being “delivered” and we are being “translated…into the kingdom of His dear Son.”
Within the interpretation presented in this study, the special calling to reign with Christ is distinguished from the ultimate salvation of mankind. God’s elect in this age are understood to have a particular role in His purpose, including reigning with Christ in the ‘kingdom’ age to come.
This distinction is important to the argument of the study. The reward is not simply personal comfort after a difficult life. It involves a place in God’s purpose for the coming kingdom age.
Pressing toward the prize…
Php 3:13 Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [“Inherit a kingdom”]
This inheritance is described in 1 Corinthians 15:50, which clarifies that “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.” The inheritance of this purchased possession requires a transformation to imperishable spiritual bodies. The culmination of this promise is found in Matthew 25:34, where Jesus invites the blessed to “inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world,” and 1 Peter 1:4, which describes an inheritance that is “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven.”
1Co 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption [flesh and blood] inherit incorruption.
Paul did not consider himself to have already attained this prize of an inherited kingdom. He pressed forward toward that “high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [To inherit a kingdom]
This ‘pressing forward’ does not mean that human effort operates independently of God’s grace. It means continuing in faith, following Christ, and trusting God to complete the work He has begun.
Our calling is not fulfilled by boasting in our own strength. We depend upon the One who works in us both to will and to do His good pleasure as Paul explained in the previous chapter:
Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13 For [G1063: ‘Gar’, because] it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
The prize of the high calling and the reward of the inheritance must therefore be understood in the context of God’s purpose in Christ. We are not seeking to purchase His favor through suffering. We are trusting Him to accomplish His work in us and to fulfill what He has promised.
- Does More Suffering Mean a Greater Reward?
Because Scripture connects suffering with reigning with Christ, it is important to avoid the conclusion that more pain automatically means a greater reward.
1 Co 13:3: And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Even an extreme sacrifice cannot substitute for love.
The important question is not merely how much we suffer, but whether we are walking in faith, love, and obedience to God.
1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
1 Corinthians 3:13–15 likewise teaches that our work will be tested. We should therefore be concerned with building faithfully upon Christ rather than seeking hardship as a means of purchasing a reward.
1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for [‘Gar’, because] the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. [A promised kingdom]
1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
The proper response to suffering is to seek God, trust His Word, and remain faithful through the trials we encounter.
We must also distinguish faithfulness from the unnecessary glorification of pain. These teachings should never be used to encourage someone to remain in an abusive or dangerous situation… Faithfulness to Christ does not require excusing wrongdoing or refusing appropriate protection and help.
Suffering is not the source of salvation. Christ is. Suffering is not a currency with which we buy the kingdom. God is the One who calls, works, teaches, and prepares His people.
- The First Resurrection and the Reign of Christ
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
“John sees thrones and those who sit upon them, together with those who suffered for the witness of Jesus and the Word of God.”
“And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”
“This is the first resurrection.”
“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection, on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
This passage identifies a group who reign with Christ and associates that reign with the first resurrection.
Within the understanding presented in this study, this is connected with the special calling of God’s elect in this age.
The connection with suffering has already been established in…
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
2 Timothy states:
2Ti 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
These passages bring the present calling and the future reign together. God is working in His people now, and Scripture connects suffering with Christ to being glorified with Him and reigning with Him.
The reward is not merely a promise of personal comfort. It involves participation in God’s purpose for the age to come. It involves having an essential part in bringing about the ultimate purpose of the plan of God, which is for God to be “All in all.”
Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe [in this dispensation], according to the working of his mighty power,
Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
We should avoid claiming more than Scripture establishes about every detail of that future rulership. Nevertheless, the connection between present faithfulness and the promised reign is plainly expressed in these passages:
Jas 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Look at that. God has chosen the poor… in spirit… rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He has promised to those who love [obey, (1Jo 5:2-3)] Him”. Romans 8 identifies those who love Him as “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” This links the inheritance of believers directly to their status as the ‘huiothesia’, mature sons of God:
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
“The hope of glory” gives meaning to the present calling because what God is doing in His people now is connected with what He has promised to accomplish in all men of all time through those who are His people now and in the future. [Eph 1:23 “…His body, the fulness of Him that filleth All in all”]
- The Glory to Come is Greater Than the Present Suffering
Rom 8:18 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.
Paul places our present experience within the scope of God’s eternal purpose.
He does not say that suffering is unreal. He teaches that the glory to come is so great that our present suffering cannot be compared with it.
2Corinthians expresses the same perspective:
2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
This perspective gives us a reason to persevere.
Luk 21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
Luk 21:17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.
Luk 21:18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
Luk 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
When we are corrected by God’s grace, we can seek the righteousness God desires. When we experience opposition because of our faith, we can remain faithful to Christ. When our weakness is exposed, we can trust His strength.
When we cannot understand why a trial has come upon us, we can continue to trust the God who works “all things” according to His purpose.
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Romans 8 connects God’s purpose with the calling of His people and their conformity to the image of His Son:
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God [Obey God, (1Jo 5:2-3)] to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
“The firstborn” necessitates others who are born later at a later resurrection (Rev 20:11-15).
The point is not that we can always explain the reason for every painful circumstance. Rather, we trust that God is able to, and is, working all things according to His purpose and that His work in His people is directed toward conformity to Christ.
This is the difference between merely enduring hardship and living in the hope of glory. The goal is not suffering for suffering’s sake. The goal is the fulfillment of God’s purpose in Christ.
- Bringing the Whole Study Together: From Christ in Us to Reigning with Him
The entire teaching of all scripture can now be seen as one connected progression.
1…Christ is the hope of glory.
Colossians declares that Christ is in His people, the hope of glory. The hope rests upon Him, not upon our natural ability or strength.
Col 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Col 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in [you and] me mightily.
2…God is working in us now.
Philippians teaches that God works in us both to will and to do His good pleasure. Our obedience, repentance, and growth in righteousness depend upon His work.
Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
3…God is bringing us away from the ways of the old man.
Romans 6:6 and Romans 8:13 describe the putting to death of sin through the work of Christ and His Spirit. Trials can expose our weaknesses, while God’s Word and chastening correction teach us to walk in righteousness.
4… The fellowship of Christ’s sufferings is part of following Him.
Philippians 3:10 describes Paul’s desire to know Christ in the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. This fellowship involves faithfulness, obedience, and conformity to Christ, even when following Him is costly.
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
5…Suffering with Christ is connected with future glory.
Romans 8:17–18 connects suffering with Christ to being glorified with Him. The glory to come far surpasses the suffering of the present time.
6… Scripture connects suffering with reigning with Christ.
2 Timothy 2:11–12 and Titus 2:11-12 establish this connection, while Revelation 20:4–6 describes those who reign with Christ in the first resurrection.
7… Our calling involves the character and service of Christ.
Mark 10:42–45 teaches that greatness in Christ’s kingdom is associated with service rather than selfish ambition. God’s preparation of His people is therefore connected with the character of the King they follow.
Mar 10:42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
Mar 10:43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
Mar 10:44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
Mar 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
8… The inheritance and prize remain dependent upon God’s grace and purpose.
Ephesians 2:8–10 teaches that salvation is a gift of grace and that we are God’s workmanship, created unto good works. Philippians 3:13–14 calls us to press toward the prize of the high calling, while Colossians 3:23–24 speaks of the reward of the inheritance.
Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
These truths belong together, but they must not be reduced to a mechanical formula… We cannot measure a person’s future reward by the amount of pain that person has endured, nor can we determine God’s entire purpose for every trial.
What Scripture establishes is that the present life of faith and the future glory belong to one purpose in Christ:
Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.Col 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: [Eph 1:22-23]
Col 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in [you and] me mightily.
God is not merely promising His people a future reward. He is working in them now, preparing them according to His purpose.
Conclusion: Christ is Our Hope, Our Example, and the One Who Completes the Work
The central message of this study is that suffering with Christ is connected to reigning with Him because God is preparing His people for the glory and the purpose He has promised to those He has called to suffer with Christ in this present dispensation.
The suffering is not the source of salvation. Christ is.
The suffering does not purchase the reward. God is the One who calls, works, teaches, corrects, and prepares His people.
The trials of this life can expose our weakness, correct our ways, and teach us to depend upon Christ. As we remain faithful to Him, we learn more deeply what it means to live by His life rather than by the desires of the flesh.
We are not called to boast in our suffering, to seek pain, or to assume that every trial has an immediately recognizable purpose. We are called to trust Christ, receive the instruction of His Word, walk in the Spirit, and continue in faith.
The example of Jesus shows us the pattern: obedience to the Father, endurance through suffering, and glory according to God’s purpose. The teaching of Paul connects that pattern with the lives of those who follow Christ.
Php 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Romans 8:17–18 brings the heart of the message together. Those who suffer with Christ are promised to be glorified with Him, and the glory to come surpasses the suffering of this present time.
The hope of glory is Christ in us.
The present work is God’s transforming work in us.
The fellowship of His sufferings is part of following Him faithfully.
The prize of the high calling points us forward in faith.
The promised future is glory with Christ and, reigning with Him in a kingdom according to the passages considered.
The question we should carry away from this study is not how much suffering we can endure to earn a place in God’s kingdom, but whether we are trusting Christ to accomplish His work in us and keeping our eyes on the glory He has promised.
In Summary
Christ is the hope of glory because He is the One working in His people now. Through His Word, Spirit, correction, and the trials of life, God teaches His people obedience, humility, love, endurance, and dependence upon Him.
Scripture connects suffering with Christ to being glorified with Him and reigning with Him.
This does not mean that pain earns salvation or automatically produces spiritual maturity. Salvation is by faith through God’s chastening grace, and God remains the Author and Finisher of both our faith and His chastening grace.
The calling of God’s people is to remain faithful to Christ, put off the old man, walk in the Spirit, serve others according to the character of their King, and press toward the prize of the high calling.
Our present life of faith is connected with the future inheritance God has promised. Therefore, we look beyond the suffering of this present time to the glory that shall be revealed, trusting Christ to complete the work He has begun in us.
Job 23:14 For He performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.
Christ is our hope. God is doing the work. Faithfulness is our calling. Glory with Christ is the promised future…
Rom 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
[We thank Mark Deschamps for sharing this study with us. Mark can be reached at mrd1241@aol.com for questions or comments.]