OUR FUTURE GLORY

How do you deal with the trials and tribulations of the past year and the prospect of the unknown new year with all its possibilities? 2021 was traumatic for many of us who experienced losses of family and friends. We wonder how many of us will be here at the end of this year? Who will we lose? The world seems to be in turmoil and we know that our political leaders cannot control the future even as they claim they can. What does the Gospel of Jesus Christ have to say to us? How can it be good news for us? What is the value of our salvation at this stage in our lives?

 “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:16-18 ESV)

 When we follow Jesus and are made children of God we share his sufferings. We become like him in his death, for we all die, but through death he transforms our mortal bodies to be like his glorious body (Phil.3:10,21). Suffering leads to glory. We are being changed from one degree of glory to another by the Lord who is Spirit (2 Cor.3:18). We may be physically declining but we should be spiritually inclining, increasing in glory as we age, becoming what God created us to be. We are not being depressed by loss but impressed by the gain of our eternal inheritance. When we are physically weak we become spiritually strong. In this world of time and suffering we need reassurance of God’s purpose in us and with us. As Winter leads to Spring and Summer, what is barren sprouts new life. Change and decay all around we see but the Gospel speaks of renewal and a new creation in us.

Christianity is not the answer to the world’s problems by reforming society. We cannot by legislation and diplomacy put an end to the causes of suffering. We cannot do away with all the trouble in the world because we cannot politically change human hearts or eliminate disease. We cannot escape trouble or be fatalistic or hopelessly pessimistic about suffering but we can overcome it through patient endurance and the victory of our faith in Christ.

Paul writes about this present time in comparison with eternity. “God has put eternity into man’s heart” (Eccles.2:11). We look forward to that which is in store for us in Christ. “Look forward, look up, your redemption is nigh, is near.” The Lord will come for us. This puts present suffering in perspective. The old passes away and the new is come (2 Cor.5:17). The old year is past, the new year is come. This should be our perspective, our hope, the promise of the Gospel. Our glory will be revealed to us and in us.

“The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed.” The present sufferings have no weight on us, no effect on us as compared with the glory. It is a matter of comparison of one with the other. We don’t make light of our sufferings. They are very real. We don’t say to one another: “Cheer up, things will get better.” We have to be realistic about our sufferings and the sufferings of others. As we age we will suffer physically. We have to face up to our troubles but we must also look at the other side of the coin at the glory. The glory that will be revealed is much more valuable. We must be comforted by the comparison. It is so easy to be weighed down by our sufferings that we forget our glory. We talk a lot about our troubles but we do not talk as much about our coming glory. In the resurrection we leave behind an old body and are given a new body. “It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.” (1 Cor.15:43,44) Our glorification is like unto the glory of Christ in his exaltation, power and glory. As he was transfigured, so will we. As he was revealed to Peter, James and John as shining as the light of the sun, so will we be. We have an inheritance kept in heaven for us. We must not allow the troubles of this present time depress us and discourage us. Our future is as bright as the sun, not as the nightly news paints this world, not loss but gain, not pain but pleasure. Look beyond this time of groaning to the time of our graduation from this world. We look forward to celebration not commiseration.

We must live in the light of eternity and not be weighed down by the present time. The perspective of the children of God witnessed to by the Spirit is that we have an eternal inheritance. We must “consider this” truth so that is takes hold of us and convinces us of its reality in our lives. We do this by focusing on Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb.12:2). Be faithful in Bible reading and prayer and Christian worship and fellowship.

As I look back on my life of 80 years I seemed to have lived several lives in different places and times. I am not the same person I was, nor would I wish to be that same person today. However, the lessons learned over the years have enriched me. Jesus Christ called me to himself when I was a teenager and has led me year by year and never abandoned me. I can remember the second World War as a child, fearing the invasion of the Japanese. George VI was King. He addressed the British Empire over the radio at the end of 1939 when Hitler was beginning his cruel, mad rampage in Europe. He concluded his talk with the words of Minnie Lou Haskins:

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year,

‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’

And he replied ‘ Go into the darkness and put your hand

Into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light

And safer than a known way!’

So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly

Into the night.

And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day

In the lone East.

 

So heart be still: what need our little life

Our human life to know, If God hath comprehension?

In all the dizzy strife of things both high and low,

God hideth his intention.

 

God knows. His will is best.

The stretch of years which wind ahead, so dim to

Our imperfect vision, Are clear to God. Our fears

Are premature; In him all time hath full provision.

God Knows, Minnie Louise Haskins (1875-1957)

 Don’t let the spirit of this age depress you with fears of the future. Let the Spirit of Jesus witness to your spirit that you are heirs of God, fellow heirs with Christ. Your present sufferings are nothing compared to the glory that is to be revealed to you. Rejoice in the Good News.