Grace Baptist Church, Nokomis, IL.

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Have you ever looked forward to something only to be let down? We’re going to talk about something to look forward to that will never disappoint.

âThe Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.â (Rom 8:16-18)

Being a fellow heir with Christ first means that we must share in His suffering (v. 17). Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before Him. There are trials in your life that you need to endure because there’s light at the end of the tunnel. This passage isn’t talking about self-induced suffering. Sometimes we experience pain because we’ve sinned and brought it on ourselves. The solution to that kind of suffering is to repent.

This passage isn’t talking about natural suffering either. Because of sin, we experience sickness, and pain, and death that we ourselves didn’t bring upon ourselves. Christ died in order to put an end to such things. This passage is talking about the kind of suffering that Jesus endured. As believers, we will be persecuted for the name of Jesus. It’s our privilege to endure such trials because in them we are identified with Jesus.

And the present suffering can’t compare to the future glory (v. 18). There are many future glories to look forward to as believers. Having heaven as our home. Having glorified, perfected bodies. Eternal life. Being with God forever without sin getting between us. None of these things have yet been fully revealed to us. We will receive these things not because of our faithfulness but because we are heirs of God. Being a fellow heir with Christ means that not only we suffer with Him, but that we will be glorified with Him. God will treat us as his children, having all of the benefits of having Him as Father.

This is only true of us if we are children of God (v. 16-17). How ought a child of God act? A child of God humbles himself before his Father. A child of God obeys his Father. But we’re sinful people! If that’s what a child of God is, how can we possibly live up to it? There is something more basic about a child of God than his actions. A child of God has been born again.

Paul considered the present suffering as incomparable with the future glory. The question is, do you consider the same? Do you count it all as loss? (Philippians 3:8)