Title: Embrace Suffering / Romans 8:18-25
Content - Embrace suffering - (Romans 8:18-25)
Suffering, there should be discrimination between unbelievers and believers, but it is not at all. Among those who believe, I wish there were differences between those who have good faith and those who do not, and those who have dedicated their lives to the Lord and those who do not.
In Romans 8:17, God says: 'You must also suffer hardships' For those who believe, suffering is natural, and it is a price that must be paid in this world. But a question arises. 'God, then, why should I believe? If you suffer even if you believe, and you suffer even if you don't believe, where should you find the reason to believe in Jesus?" God gives clear answers to these questions through Romans 8.
Romans 8 begins with the important word 'condemnation'. To condemn is to define as to be sinful. If you sin, you will be judged. To be judged like this is condemnation. In Paul's day, the prevailing idea was that suffering was being judged by God as a result of sin. So, when a person is in trouble, he thinks, 'What sin has this man committed that God will punish him for?' But this is not correct. do.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2). There is no 'condemn'. Because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ has set us free from the law of sin and death. Because of this, no one can condemn the children of God (Romans 8:33-34). This means that the sufferings of God's children are not condemnation. Of course, there are hardships for God's children. On the surface, that suffering seems no different from the suffering experienced by unbelievers. But the nature of that suffering is clearly different. For an unbeliever, suffering can be a condemnation. However, the suffering God's children suffer is never God's judgment. This is the difference between the suffering of believers and the suffering of unbelievers.
So, what is the nature of the sufferings of those who are in Christ Jesus? “If children, then heirs, also heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, for we must also suffer with him in order that we may be glorified with him. 8:17~18) Here is a word closely related to suffering, which is 'glory'. Suffering and glory seem to be opposite to each other, but they are closely related. Suffering is the prelude and prelude to the glory that will be revealed to us.
C.S Lewis called 'hardship a megaphone'. It means 'to awaken us'. However, it may be interpreted in a different way. It is said to be 'the sound of the trumpet that announces the coming of glory'. So what is that glory? First of all, it is a blessing that people of faith will enjoy when they enter the kingdom of heaven. When that time comes, we will be forever free from the wretched state of sin. And like Jesus, you will become a glorious being without blemish or blemish. This is the glory that people of faith will enjoy in the future. But is the glory necessarily limited to the kingdom of heaven? no. The present is now. The future is the future. This future includes not only the other world, but also the future in this world. God's children are suffering right now. But today's suffering is a glorious prelude to the future, our tomorrow. Joseph suffered. He was hated by his brothers, misunderstood at Potiphar's house, and thrown into a deep prison. It is an indescribable suffering. But that suffering was a prelude to his glory. Was the glory he had enjoyed in the other world?
Arturo Toscanini was very nearsighted, unable to read sheet music properly. So he prayed a lot for his eyes. But it got worse and eventually I couldn't see the sheet music. Reluctantly, he memorized the entire score. I memorized and played the cello. Then one day, ahead of an important concert, the conductor of his symphony orchestra became ill and could not conduct. Then, Toscanini, who memorized all the scores, took the lead. Having memorized all the songs, he confidently conducted the concert, and the concert ended successfully. This event led to him becoming a world-class conductor. It is only then that he realizes the true meaning of his suffering.
There is a book called 'Six Ways to Cross the Desert' by Steve Donahue. The author wrote this book while traversing the Sahara Desert, the world's largest desert, and discovering wisdom to navigate the desert of an uncertain life. Here are the six methods he suggests. First, follow the compass, not the map. Second, take a break every time you meet an oasis. Third, deflate the tire if it gets stuck in the sand. Fourth, travel alone, together. Fifth, stay one step away from the campfire. Sixth, do not stop at the border of an illusion. Life is too much like crossing a desert. How can we get through these trials and tribulations of today? He advises: 'Ask for help early. Otherwise, you will have to be rescued later.' As we walk the desert-like path of life, who do we turn to for help? When we are weak in the midst of suffering, who will God send to our side? The Holy Spirit is with us in our suffering. He is able to help us. We can overcome the trials and tribulations before us. And you will be the hero of the glory that will come after that suffering.
Dear saints,
You cannot avoid suffering. However, as we live our faith, we must have the right thoughts about suffering. The suffering that appears to the people who believe in God is the channel of blessing that brings glory. If you love and embrace that suffering with faith, the Holy Spirit will make him the main character of blessing.