Victory Through WeaknessSample

The Hope of Glory

Every day, people around the world are offered false promises and false hope. Quick-talking salesmen pitch “miracle cures” on television, and optimistic consumers buy into the idea that there is an easy, quick-fix solution to their problems. The apostle Paul, by contrast, did not make such cavalier claims, implying that the gospel would simply fix everything. In fact, he was forthright in saying that if we are to follow Christ and share his glory, we must also share his suffering. If you place your trust in God and set your hope in the future, you can rejoice today.

Paul gives three reasons to do this.

• Your present suffering cannot compare to your future glory. What you suffer now is nothing compared to the glory in heaven! You currently live in a fallen world that is enduring the wretched results of the curse of sin. But it will not stay this way. You are promised a future glory where all wrongs will be made right and you will enjoy eternity with God forever.
• Your present body will be replaced with a new and perfect body. When you were saved, God adopted you into his family. With this adoption comes a wonderful inheritance. You are promised not only a new physical body but also a full redemption so that you will be like Christ and will never sin again. Place your hope in God as you eagerly await your glorified body.
• You are promised that all things work together for good if you are called according to God’s purpose (Romans 8:28-29). If you are a follower of Christ, God is working every event in your life for your good and his glory—even your most challenging ones. Every child of God receives the promise to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. You look more like Christ as you grow in obedience each day. This process will be complete when you receive your glorified body in heaven.

Your present hardships will one day come to an end. If you are in Christ, this world will bring temporary pain and trouble until the Lord calls you home. Why are your present sufferings not worth comparing to the future glory that is to come? Because in heaven you will have a perfect resurrection body and will spend eternity with God.