As we come to the middle of Chapter 8 of Romans, Paul is going to get us to train ourselves as believers to look forward to eternity. Now we can all get excited about this future glory that is ours, but I don’t think you are going to like what he says that comes hand in hand with future glory. Look at verse 17:
“And if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8:17
For those of us who are in Christ, we love to think about the wonderful inheritance we will one day receive when we step into eternity. We have no problem imagining that. But we are not comfortable with the thought that we would have to suffer in order to enjoy glory. What is Paul talking about? What is the connection between suffering and glory, and what does this mean for me today? Good questions.
Paul teaches us three unbelievable truths of God’s glory in the believer.
- The incomparable of glory.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18
“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.” Luke 6:22-23
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15:18-19
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” 2 Cor. 4:17
- The inexpressible for glory.
- The infallible of glory.