From Suffering to Glory
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. 19 For the earnest
expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly,
but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because
the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into
the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that
the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not
only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we
ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the
redemption of our body.
1A FOR
And as we are going to see all that the world and throw
against us in trails and suffering, we are going to be strengthen in our faith,
which is going to further give us the assurance
of our salvation..
Paul is going to say, and is saying, that in their suffering
(the Christian believers in Rome) is a
proof that they are children of God, in that the sufferings are a proof that
they are being prepared for the glory to which they will be taken.
For as in Acts 14:22 that in much tribulation that we must
enter into the kingdom of God..
The point Paul, is that the ultimate end and object of
salvation is our glorification.
We must remember that all those who are saved, are “in
Christ” and as such are “united with Christ,” and therefore will be glorified
“together with Him.
2A I CONSIDER 3049
Refers to
a process of careful study or reasoning which results in the arriving at a
conclusion. Signified “take account of : 2 Corinthians 10:7 “think”
I have
thought it over carefully- I have checked out the evidence and thus reasoned it
to be so and even at the present time I continued to consider this over in my
mind.
I have
logically dealt with the methods of valid my thinking, and it has reveal to me
the proper conclusions from the premises and is a prerequisite of all thoughts.
So the
question would be: what Bibical truths would one think about that would lead
them to concluse that suffering now is miner in comparison to glory in the
future.? How about verses like Matthew
5:11-12, Hebrews 11:25-26, 35; I Peter 1:6-7. Acts 20:24 and 2 Corinthians
4:17-18.
3A THAT THE
SUFFERINGS: 3804 pathema
Definition
1.
that which one suffers or has
suffered
a.
externally, a suffering, misfortune,
calamity, evil, affliction
1.
of the sufferings of Christ
2.
also the afflictions which
Christians must undergo in behalf of the same cause which Christ patiently
endured
b.
of an inward state, an affliction,
passion
2.
an enduring, undergoing, suffering
Here the suffering has to do
with our faith in Christ, and Christ in us Who the world hates, and we suffer
that we might be conformed to his image.
1. 2 Corinthians 4:7-12
2. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
3. I Peter 4:12-13
4. Hebrews 12:11
5. Revelation 2:10
6. Hebrews 5:8
7. James 1:2-4
8. Hebrews 5:7-8
9. Hebrews 12:14
10. Revelation 2:10
11. I Peter 1:6-7
The Process of how to temper
steel:
To what purpose do we suffer?
1. Galatians 6:8
2. Romans 5:1-5
3. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
4.
Acts
16:25-34
5. Romans 8:28-29
6. Romans 8:17-18
Suffering is ultimately the
result of sin, from which will not be delivered until our Lord returns.
Every instance of suffering in
our lives is not necessarily the direct result of our sin.
God has purposes for our
suffering that man not be known to us in this life, but only in eternity
When viewed in the light of
eternity our suffering seems bearable
Suffering may draw us near to
God, while success and easy may do the opposite
When God uses suffering for his glory and our God He turns the
curses into the cure.
No one has ever suffered more, than God’s son, in bringing about
the only means of our salvation
All of
us must be tested and come thru the discipline of God. That is how we are
purified and made ready as a Bride. Just saying some words about Jesus
does not prepare us or pass the test of God. We must suffer and this
suffering may not seem pleasant yet if we keep our eyes focused on
the prize of eternal life, we will understand what is happening and when
we yield our lives to God, we will find the peace that transcends all understanding.
God has written
His laws in our hearts and in our minds. Jesus said that if we truly
love Him, we will obey His commandments. We prove
ourselves and our faith as genuine by responding to the discipline of
God. That is how we endure and in turn are trained so we can teach
others. Keep in mind that God is in
total control, even using the enemy to accomplish His perfect will.
The Lord uses events, people and even the enemy to implement the test of
our faith. We know that all things work for the greater good for
those that love the Lord.
