'saints in light," says theapostle. This isa past act.
Suffering with Christ, A Condition of Glory with Christ
II. THIS COMMUNITY OF SUFFERING IS A PREPARATION FOR THE COMMUNITY OF GLORY.
A. The Way a Man Is Made Fit for Glory.
1. It is not by discipline. One thing at any rate is very certain, it is not. the discipline that fits. That which fits goes before the discipline, and the discipline only develops the fitness.
2. It is a past act. "God hath made us meet for the inheritance of the 'saints in light," says the apostle. This is a past act.
3. It is when a man turns to Christ. The preparedness for heaven comes — at the moment—if it be a momentary act—when a man turns to Christ. "This day thou shalt be with Me in paradise"—fit for the inheritance.
B. The Development of Man's Fitness for Glory.
I. Discipline develops man's fitness for heaven. In His mercy He is leaving you here, training you, disciplining you, cleansing you, making you to be polished shafts in His quiver. —
2. Discipline is a seal of sonship.
3. Discipline prepares the believer for greater rewards in heaven. And so learn to look upon all trial as being at once the seal of your sonship and the means by which God puts it within your power to win a higher place, a loftier throne, a nobler crown.
III. INHERITANCE IS THE NECESSARY RESULT OF SUFFERING.
A. The Ground of Possessing the Inheritance.
1. It is not merely compensation. It is not only because the joy hereafter seems required in order to vindicate God's love to His children, who here reap sorrow from their sonship, that the discipline of life cannot but end in blessedness.
2. It is union with Christ. The suffering results from our union with Christ. That union must needs culminate in glory.