Present Sufferings and Future Glory

By Nelson Thomas Mumbai

“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. “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.

What does it mean by the glory of God? It is the radiance of all the goodness and attributes of God. The reflection of all that makes God unique.

Glory Lost and Found

When God created man in His own image, He gave man part of this divine glory. Gen. 1: 26; Psa. 8:5. But sin in the garden of Eden took away the divine life and glory of man. Rom. 3:23. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

However, when a person trusts in the saving work of Christ and receives Him as his Lord and Saviour, God begins a wonderful work in him to regenerate and redeem him. This work of salvation includes the restoration of the glory man lost due to sin.

In fact, in the program of God, today itself the Lord gives this glory. Notice the words of Christ, “The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one…” John 17:22. Here the reference is to the internal transformation one experiences by virtue of the indwelling Spirit. Christ the hope of glory indwells us. Thus, we have the divine nature within us. Cf. Romans 8:9; Colos. 1:27; 2Peter 1:4.

And we also progress in Christlikeness as the days go by. Phil. 2:5. That’s why in Romans 8:30 we, “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

But one day we shall possess the glory of Christ in all its fullest sense. We shall be conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the end goal of our salvation. 2Thess. 2:14; Rom. 8:29. This is to happen at the time of rapture, when the Lord Jesus will come to take away His people to be with them.

Then He “will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” Phil. 3:21. We shall also ‘shine like the sun in the kingdom of our Father’. Matt. 13:43.

Thus, the scripture clearly reveals about the inexpressible glory we shall possess in the future. It’s beyond our comprehension and description. Cf. Romans 8:17; Colo. 3:4; 1 Pet. 5:1; 1John 3:2; Rev 22: 4, 5 etc.

Glory focussed

As Paul fixed his eyes on this glory that is going to be revealed in him one day, he was more than happy to suffer all the trails of the present day. In the second epistle to Corinthians, Paul repeatedly referred to his sufferings. On the basis of those descriptions we can very well conclude that there is no other Christian believer who suffered like Paul. Cf. 2Cor. 1:8; 4: 8 – 12; 6: 5 – 10; 7:5; 11: 23 – 28.

    Yet, in view of the heavenly glory, he found the earthly sufferings as just nothing. He says, ‘it’s light and momentary affliction, and the weight of glory is eternal and beyond comparison’. 2Cor. 4:17.

    Today as we are facing unprecedented troubles like the pandemic and even the unexpected deaths of dear ones, let us have the full hope and assurance of the glory that is going to be revealed in us. Such a vision of the blessed future inheritance and blessings will help us to be content and happy in these uncertain troublesome days.

    Not only saints like Paul, even our Lord Jesus Christ as He was suffering, He was looking beyond the painful circumstances to the result of His sorrow. The redemption of the myriads of men and women, the calling out of the church of Christ and the glory of the kingdom etc., filled His heart and thus He endured the cross, despising the shame. Heb. 12:2; 2Tim. 2:10.

Vision energizes

The followers of Christ always faced tribulation with joy and satisfaction for they were well aware of the wonderful blessings beyond this earthly sojourn. So, they happily rejected the things of the world, endured afflictions and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims in the world.

    As Stephen was facing a furious Jewish crowd ready to stone him, he literally saw heaven opened and saw the glory of God and Christ standing at the right hand of God. Act 7: 54 – 60. It was this vision of glory that helped Stephen to face such a tragic death gracefully, even praying for his oppressors.

   That’s why Apostle Peter exhorts the scattered suffering Christians to have full ‘hope with perfect steadfastness in the grace which will be brought to them at the revelation of Jesus Christ’. Cf. 1Peter 1: 6, 7, 13.

   Even as we fulfil our responsibilities as loyal citizens, taking all the precautions against the pandemic, let us refuse to be engrossed in the things of this world and the depressing disasters around us. Look ahead, even beyond the grave, to our presence with Christ and all the glories associated with our future. That alone will fill our heart with joy unspeakable and peace that surpasses all understanding, guarding our minds in Christ Jesus. Cf. Phil 4: 5 - 7.

NTK

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25/06/2021

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