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Romans 8:18
The Apostle Paul ends our previous study (Romans 8:12-17) with a statement that should have caught our attention; Romans 8:17 ends with a startling comment as Paul teaches us (NKJV), “…if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”
This is a promise that our current day sufferings are not comparable to the glory of God in which will be revealed within us.
Jesus suffered not for Himself or for His sins as He was sinless and in no way was deserving of suffering, but He came to save the world from sin (John 3:16-17) and in so doing was subjected to the sufferings of all humanity in the undeserving death that He died for us all on the cross. In our suffering with Him is our acknowledging what He has done for us and in believing in Him is our obedience to Him. Jesus tells us in John 15:18-25 that we will suffer persecution from this world as the world persecuted Him and will also persecute us because He is not of this world. As we put our faith in Him we are transferring our obedience from the ways of this world to following the ways of Christ Jesus; we are no longer accepted by this world and will be persecuted just as Jesus was persecuted. In John 15:20 Jesus teaches us (NIV), “Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”
We must also understand that our sufferings are not because God wants us to suffer because Jesus suffered for us, but that we live in a sinful world where sufferings are present. We are not exempt from suffering but God will see us through our earthly sufferings if we will put and keep our faith in Him. If we will do this to bring God glory through our lives of repentance from this sinful world to a new life in the forgiveness of Christ Jesus – while we live in this sinful world – God will reward us with His glory within us now, and in His glory for eternity – in Christ.
Dear Lord,
We don’t like to suffer, but Jesus came to pay our price due to sin for disobedience and suffered in our place so that we may be forgiven through Him. Please help us to put our faith in Jesus through our earthly sufferings that we may enter into Your eternal glory where suffering will be no more. In Jesus name I pray, amen.