Meanwhile, back on earth, we struggle and suffer. We remember hope’s condition: If we suffer with Christ, we will be glorified with Him (Romans 8:17). “If we endure, we will also reign with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12). Jesus is the Prince of peace to all those who respond positively, but to others He brings a sword (Matthew 10:24). “Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division,” such as a believer’s family turning against him (Luke 12:51-53 cf. Matthew 10:34-39; 24:9-10). Worldly people, even the religious, always persecute the godly (John 15:20; 2 Timothy 3:12).
Even within the church, trying to maintain unity can involve struggles. Unity is easier to maintain in healthy congregations led by spiritual leaders (Colossians 2:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Timothy 3:1-15; Hebrews 13:17). But some situations are far from healthy. Some who prove too rebellious eventually must be disciplined (Matthew 18:17; Romans 16-17; Titus 1:10-11, 13; 3:9-11; 2 John 1:10). In the New Testament, all the congregations that are described belonged to Christ’s “one body.” Yet one congregation was dominated by a bad leader named Diotrephes (3 John 1:9-11). The congregation in Sardis was so corrupt that only a few remained acceptable to Jesus (Revelation 3:1-4). In both cases, and while Jesus was still appealing to them, He did not command the faithful Christians to depart. Neither did He tell faithful congregations to disfellowship other congregations, which would punish the righteous with the unrighteous. One Lord is the judge of when a congregation has strayed so far that He must remove it from His fellowship (Revelation 2:5, 16; 3:19).
That being the case, Christians must remain faithful, even when disappointed by many around them (2 Timothy 1:15). What motivates such steadiness under pressure? Their faith is not in men—whether helpful or hurtful—but in “one God” and “one Lord.” Through “one faith” delivered by “one Spirit,” they received “one baptism,” and remain in Christ’s “one body.” They look with “one hope” to the returning King. Like the faithful few at Sardis and Laodicea, they hold firmly to His promises for overcomers.
The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. … The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also conquered and sat down with My Father on His throne (Revelation 3:5, 21).
For His part, God makes sure they reach their reward. To this end, He strengthens them by Christ’s Spirit living within them (Ephesians 3:16-17, 20). He empowers them to focus on Christ, to mature in Him, and help others also to know “the hope of glory.”
Christ in you is the hope of glory.
This mystery … is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me (Colossians 1:27-29).