“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” (Romans 8:18).
Our text reveals that the apostle Paul approached the subject of suffering in a positive, rather than in a negative way. So did James: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations [testings]” (1:2). So did Peter: “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings” (I Peter 4:13). So did John: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” (I John 4:4).
In Romans 8 Paul reveals three positive benefits connected with suffering. Suffering leads to heavenly glory. “If so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. . . . The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (vv.17,18). “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you” (I Peter 4:14). One day suffering shall cease, but the glory shall remain! Suffering increases our dependence on the Holy Spirit for answered prayer. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26). This allows the will of God to be accomplished in our life. Suffering is far outweighed by the permanence of God’s love. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (vv.35,37). Instead of dwelling on the suffering, may we ever cause our attention to focus on the permanent love of God. NPS
