From Suffering to Glory (2)
As created men, we are vessels of clay. To become part of New Jerusalem we need to have God’s golden nature imparted into us and we need to be transformed into precious stones. The transformation involves suffering but results in glory. The prior post used Romans 8 and 2 Corin-thians 4 to look and suffering and glory.
The Lord Jesus Himself went through this process. He told us (Luke 24:26): “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and enter into His glory?”
First Peter focuses on our Christina life under the government of God. Verses 1:5-7 speak of sufferings and glory. At present “you have been made sorrowful by various trials, so that the proving of your faith…may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
We look away from the temporary suffering to what is eternal, what will be brought forth by the second coming of our Lord who will appear in glory.
First Peter 4:13 adds, “inasmuch as you share in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice exultingly.” And 5:10 tells us, “the God of all grace, He who has called you into His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself perfect, establish, strengthen, and ground you.”
Don’t expect a Christian life without sufferings. But, we look away to Him and receive grace so that He may perfect us for New Jerusalem where there will be great glory and no suffering.
Posted by Don on August 23, 2021
