For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are
not
worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom8:18 We have seen that it pleased the Father that in Christ should all fulness dwell (Col1:19). That because God allowed Jesus to leave the glory and to suffer in the fashion as man even to the point of dying on a cross, God has highly exalted him and given him a name above every name (Phil2:5-11). Now Paul is saying in Romans that since we suffer due to the fall of Adam, and for the love of Christ, in Christ, we will partake of the glory. In fact Paul in Ephesians 3:19 states that “to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge that we might be filled with all the fulness of God.” What the Father has bestowed on Christ, Christ, in turn, bestows on the church. This is the love of Christ that passeth knowledge. The church will become one with the Trinity. The church will become one with God and there can therefore be no second fall after Adam's transgression. The sufferings of man that God allowed to happen cannot be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us and this is through the love of Christ. If we share in the sufferings of Christ, we will share in the resurrection (Phil3:10-11). That is why we are called Christians, little anointed ones. He that overcomes through Christ merits a share in the glory, in his glory. That is why there is only one way to God and that is through Christ. What awaits the church is beyond words to capture and it is worth any hardship that God deems us worthy to endure. So fight the good fight of faith and lay hold of eternal life through Christ our mediator, friend, and God. Amen. |