“Jesus today has many who love His heavenly kingdom, but few who carry His cross; many who yearn for comfort, few who long for distress. Plenty of people He finds to share His banquet, few to share His fast… There are many that follow Jesus as far as the breaking of bread, few as far as drinking the cup of suffering; many that revere His miracles, few that follow Him in the indignity of His cross.” - Thomas A Kempis
Life with God is both and.
It cannot be only glory.
It will not be only suffering.
‘…and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.’ - Romans 8:17
Life with God is both and.
It cannot be only life.
It will not be only death.
“Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him.” - Romans 6:8
Life with God is both and.
It cannot be only reigning.
It will not be only endurance.
“…if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us…” - 2 Timothy 2:12
Jesus, forgive us for desiring glory, life, and reigning with You, when we are unwilling to suffer, die, and endure with You. Enable us to live the both and life, for Your glory and our good. Amen.
Both and,
AB