Perspective:-
Present Sufferings and Future Glory
“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.” Romans 8:18:
Suffering is nothing new to a true Christian. The Lord Jesus made clear repeatedly, ‘you will have tribulation in this world. John 16:33. He spoke of the animosity and oppression we may have to face in this world as followers of Christ. John 15: 18-21. He Himself went through indescribable trials of every kind which no man can imagine, or experienced. He was made perfect through sufferings. Heb. 2:10. As often noted, Christianity was born through the sufferings of Christ and progressed through the blood of martyrs.
As we face manifold tribulations, we can look at them in different perspectives. For example, in Rom. 5: 3, 4 Paul looks at sufferings as something that would mould our character. “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” Rom. 5: 3, 4.
Elsewhere in the scripture we can notice few more viewpoints to look at believer’s suffering, which affirms the reality and repercussions of trials in our life.However, in the text that we have taken for this meditation, the writer is comparing today’s sufferings with the glory that is going to appear in future.
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Out line:-
The Law of the Spirit. Romans 8: 2 - 30
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Delivers from sin and death (vs. 2, 3)
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Enables to fulfill God’s law (v. 4)
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Changing their nature (v 11)
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Empowering for victory (vs. 12, 3)
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Confirming their adoption as God’s children (vs. 14–16)
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Guarantees their ultimate glory (vv. 17–30)
Matthew Kratz
Anecdote: -
Devil’s Sale.
Someone shared this story, that the devil was having an auction of his used weapons. There were many articles for sale like deception, strife etc. As people were carefully testing each piece for sale, they found one covered and kept in the back.
When somebody asked for the covered instrument to be shown, devil said, ‘that is not for sale’. Curious buyer wanted to know what it is, devil said, ‘it’s discouragement which I still use and it’s very effective too’!
— Source: unknown
Worthy Quotes:-
Sufferings & glory
“Suffering leads to glory; shame leads to honor; weakness leads to power. This is God's way of doing things.”
_____________________ Warren W. Wiersbe
“Glory follows afflictions, not as the day follows the night but as the spring follows the winter; for the winter prepares the earth for the spring, so do afflictions prepare the soul for glory.”
_________ Richard Sibbes
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