Paul Elevates our Future Glory far above our present
Sufferings
Romans
8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to
be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. NKJV
Paul just finished telling us of our inheritance due
to the reality of our sonship provided that we suffer with our Lord Jesus
Christ. Paul made this truth of suffering with our Lord known to the Philippians
and is now likewise saying the same thing to the followers of Christ in Rome.
Paul undoubtedly said this because only true sons or daughters would bear
Christ reproach in this world, but those back then and today and in every
generation who do not testify anything but Christ Crucified do so in order to
shield themselves from the offense of the Cross (1 Corinthians 1:18 & Galatians 5:11 & Galatians 6:12-14 & Philippians
3:18). Paul wanted to make it clear to those in Rome and us today and all
true sons and daughters of every generation that there will be a price of
suffering to pay for the declaration that there is only one way for men and
women to go to heaven, for it is our internal calling to suffer with our Lord
Jesus Christ. However, Paul (who knew more of this truth and reality than many)
wants us to know that what is suffered for the sake and cause of our Lord Jesus
Christ is microscopic, minute, and miniscule compared to the glory that will be
revealed in us.
The English word revealed
Paul uses here is from the Greek word apokalupto
which means to uncover, lay open what has been veiled or covered up to make
known, make manifest, disclose what before was unknown. Do you realize what
Paul is saying of us here? We who have been made the children of God by way of
regeneration and the new birth are right now like a package that is boxed up or
wrapped up waiting for the owner of that package to open it up to disclose the
contents inside (Luke 17:21). Every
child of God carries within us the glorious seed implanted by our Heavenly
Daddy or Abba Father waiting to be revealed to the entire Universe or Universes
and even all of the Angels are in eager anticipation to see this glorious thing
God the Father has done in the hearts of us defiled, dead, and depraved sinners
whom He has now made sons and daughters (1
John 3:9). Right now every one of us needs to be shouting with a loud voice
Hallelujah! (1 Peter 4:13).
Paul also used the same English word reckon (this is
like an accounting term or bookkeeping term) he used in Romans 6:11 when he told us, “Likewise
you also, reckon yourselves to be
dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The Greek
word for reckon is logizomai which means to reckon, count,
compute, calculate, count over to take into account, to make an account
of, to pass to one’s account, to impute
a thing is reckoned as or to be something, to reckon inward, to conclude. There
is finality in the meaning of this word. This word deals with reality. If I “logizomai”
or reckon that my bank book has $25 in it, it has $25 in it. This word refers
to facts not suppositions. Wow! What a truth the Apostle Paul is conveying to
us here about the reality of all the new birth means to us and for us in not
only making us sons or daughters but making us into the new creatures or
creations (2 Corinthians 5:17) upon
the earth that we presently are even though the reality of that new creation is
wrapped up in the vessel of our earthly tents or bodies.
Whatever pains or hardships emotional or physical we
undergo here in our brief stay upon the earth as the aliens we have become is
nothing when we put it up against the new man or woman that is waiting to burst
free into glory or the Greek word doxa
which means the absolutely perfect inward or personal excellency of Christ; most
exalted state of that condition with God the Father in heaven to which Christ
was raised after He had achieved His work on earth the glorious condition of
blessedness into which is appointed and promised that true Christians shall
enter after their Savior’s return from heaven. This reality is what awaits each
one of us born ones to be manifested in us as the Apostle John said with such
awe, 1 John 3:1-3 Behold what manner of love the Father has
bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world
does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of
God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when
He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And
everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. NKJV
All of the Apostles were in awe of this truth this
reality but nevertheless they wrote of it with joy unspeakable and full of glory
(1 Peter 1:6-7). We need never to
concern ourselves with what the world says of us or thinks of us, but we only
need to meditate on these truths and allow ourselves to continue in
intercession for those we know have no part in this reality despite their affiliation
with church or religion or spirituality for it is as Paul defines it in 2 Corinthians 5:12-21 & Galatians
6:12-15 for this is what brings a sinner into the reality of this great and
wonderful eternal bliss and blessedness and nothing else will do it. Paul was
so in tune with God the Holy Spirit that not only was our Lord’s Eternal Words
conveyed to us through the pen of this man, but also God the Holy Spirit opened
up Paul’s heart and laid it bare before all of the world to see and read. Let
us listen how Paul summarizes our suffering for the sake of our Lord Jesus’
Glory and our good no matter what our present circumstances or conditions may
say to us our reality and finality and glory cannot and will not be delayed,
deterred, or denied as we keep our hearts and minds stayed and fixed on our
Lord Jesus and His Cross:
2
Corinthians 4:7-18 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the
excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed
on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted,
but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed --- always carrying about in
the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be
manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’
sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So
then death is working in us, but life in you. And since we have the same spirit
of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and
therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise
us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are
for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause
thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart.
Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being
renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is
working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while
we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not
seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which
are not seen are eternal. NKJV
Colossians
3:4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with
Him in glory. NKJV
2
Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer
persecution. NKJV
“Though poor in this world’s goods, though grieving
the loss of loved ones, though suffering pain of body, though harassed by sin
and satan, though hated and persecuted by world lings, whatever be the case and
lot of the Christian, it is both his privilege and duty to rejoice in the Lord.”
A. W. Pink
“To choose to suffer means that there is something
wrong; to choose God’s will even if it means suffering is a very different
thing. No healthy saint ever chooses suffering; he chooses God’s will, as Jesus
did, whether it means suffering or not.” Oswald Chambers
“It is inevitable for the person made into a new
creation to suffer simply because he or she is different. We all witnessed as
children the cruelty of the human heart poured out on the school kid that was different
by way of human birth, how much more shall it be found true to the ones made
different by way of Heavenly Birth.” Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
If you do not
know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your
heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus,
I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You
shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead
proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my
sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my
life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely
in Christ,
Author
of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and
Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into
Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs”
e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and
Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and
Taylor, and eBookPie…
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