Title: SUFFERING AND GLORY

Focus: As Christians look forward to the glory of salvation that is to come, we must view present-day sufferings as part of the Christian life.

Function: To encourage the people to see their present-day sufferings in light of Christ’s work of salvation.

Text: Romans 8:18-27

Who likes and understands sufferings? How do you explain the car accident and death of a 5-year old child? How can we justify the death of 6 million Jews in World War II? How can you ever get over the sudden death of your spouse? How can we ever get used to hospitals, funeral homes and cemeteries? I can’t get used to the sufferings of people around me, although I sometimes feel numb about the magnitude of misery and death in our world.

What about you?

Christians believe that Jesus is sovereign God. We believe that Jesus can heal the sick and raise the dead. We believe that Jesus answers prayers. And thus we find it difficult, at times, to understand why Christians share in the sufferings and hardship of life. Sometimes, God hears our prayers and he brings healing. Other times, we too shed tears because a loved one dies. And sometimes we really struggle with the question, “Why, O Lord, why don’t you answer our prayers for healing? Why must we too face suffering and death?”

Here is what I learn from the Scriptures: As Christians look forward to the glory of salvation that is certain to come, we must see our present-day sufferings as part of the Christian life.

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As we study the Scripture passage from Romans 8, we must remember two important observations by the Apostle Paul:

1. Christians share in the life of Jesus. And just as Jesus suffered in life, so we too share in life’s misery and hardships. And just as Jesus shares in the glory of eternal life (after he suffered, died, and rose again from the dead), so Jesus’ followers will also share in the glory of eternal life.

In Romans 8:16 Paul says that “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” In other words, we should not be surprised when we encounter the misery of sin, sickness and hardship in our lives. We cannot escape these afflictions. In fact, we must see them now in light of Christ’s life, for Paul says that our sufferings are Christ’s sufferings. That is, Christ is with us in the midst of our sufferings.

In some mysterious way Jesus participates in our present day suffering. And just as we look forward to the day when we may fully share in the glory of salvation—when there shall be no more tears, sin, sickness or death—so we must view our present-day suffering in light of the glory that is to come.

2. The Christian life is a journey toward an eternal future of glory. Our present-day lives participate in the effects of sin, including misery, sufferings, and death. But that’s not the end of the story. For God will reveal his glory to us when Christ comes again. This means, however, that Christians live with two ages or periods. The one period is now—the present time; the other period is the future age when God makes all things new. The present-day period is one of sufferings, struggle and strive; the future age is one of glory, majesty, and eternal rest. Today, we draw strength and hope from the age to come. Today we cope with sufferings and tears; but tomorrow—when the new age of glory arrives—we live with harmony and peace. That’s also why the apostle Peter can say: (I Peter 5:10)“The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever.”

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Now I want to share with you two important teachings found in Romans 8:18-27. Those teachings are very much part of the gospel—the good news of salvation.

No. 1. Jesus’ work of salvation leads to the redemption of our bodies. Some people seem to think that Jesus came to save souls, our spirit. They forget to mention that Jesus has come and died and rose again from the dead to save our whole being—body and soul. The Apostle Paul refers to that work of salvation as “the redemption of our bodies” or “our adoption as sons” (or children of God). Listen to vs. 23: “…we ourselves, who have the firstfruit of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved….”

It is true that our present-day sufferings eventually lead to our deaths. We are dust, fragile, and when we die our bodies turn to dust, while our spirit or soul is with Christ in heaven. But when Christ comes again, he will re-unite our spirits or soul with our bodies; he will raise our dust; he will re-constitute our bodies and we shall live with resurrected and glorified bodies on the renewed or restored creation for ever and ever.

The resurrection of the body is a vital and important teaching of the Christian faith. I long for that day, when sin and death no longer will have any sway or power over our bodies. On that day we shall have (in all fullness) everlasting life.

No. 2. Jesus’ work of salvation includes NOT only people but also all of creation. All of creation participates in Jesus’ death and resurrection. All of creation will be restored to its original beauty and perfection. This, too, is part of the gospel. This, too, is part of the grand story of God’s salvation in Jesus Christ.

Listen to the Apostle Paul (vs. 19ff) “The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” Many people today worry that a large asteroid may destroy the entire world someday. Others believe that an atomic bomb may bring an end to the civilized world. Others worry that global warming will turn this world into an inhospitable place someday so that no human beings can live on this creation.

But what does the Bible say? We learn that God will re-create, restore, and renew this creation. And that renewal will take place at the same time when Jesus comes again, when he will raise our bodies from the dead. At the end of time, Jesus will establish God’s heavenly kingdom here on this earth; he will renew the earth; he will grant his people eternal life; and our triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—will live in our midst forever and ever. In that hope, we are being saved; in that hope, all of creation looks forward to Jesus’ final coming. In that hope of future glory, we see and endure our present-day sufferings. And it’s in that hope that we all pray: “Maranatha—Lord Jesus, come! Come soon!

Amen.