Walking Daily the Path to Glory - Part One

On Sunday we focused on Romans 5:2-8, but in this post I want to focus on verses 3 through 5:

"We boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also boast in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." NIV

Now sometimes I like to look at passages in more than one version. Here it is from The Message:

"There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!"

So we've talked about the benefits of justification, and now we move to the benefits of suffering. We touched on it yesterday, but I want to expand it just a little bit. We asked, "How can we rejoice in suffering?" The answer was three-fold:

1) Rejoicing in suffering has to do with renewal of our thinking. Paul talks about renewing the mind in Romans 12:2:

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."

To rejoice in suffering takes a major shift in our thinking. We can only do that through the power of the Holy Spirit. We now see things differently than before. The Holy Spirit has affected our thinking and changed our worldview, as well as our priorities.

2) Rejoicing in suffering also has to do with knowing the truth. It starts with knowing where we came from (being hopelessly lost and ruined) and knowing what He's brought us to (justified children of God). We almost could stop there. Coming from hopelessness alone is reason to rejoice.

We must learn to focus on the truth of God's word and not the lies of the enemy. We must believe the truth of God's word and not be led astray by our emotions. We must cling to the truth of God's word, and not buy in to the world's way of thinking. Remember this:

"Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'”
John 8:31-32

Paul's writing to the Philippians (yes, I know I refer to this passage a lot) tells us a lot about how to respond to suffering. In fact, the entire book of Philippians is a good read on rejoicing in suffering, given the fact that Paul wrote it while in prison. But consider this:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

If you are suffering, focus on the truth of what you have to be thankful for!

3) Rejoicing in suffering has to do with having a new perspective on life. It is only when we see it as something good, or producing something good that we can truly rejoice in suffering. We need to see suffering producing things of eternal value. Suffering, when experienced and responded to in a Christlike way, produces the qualities of Christ in us. Isn't that, after all, what we want?

"A. Parnell Bailey visited an orange grove where an irrigation pump had broken down. The season was unusually dry and some of the trees were beginning to die for lack of water. The man giving the tour then took Bailey to his own orchard where irrigation was used sparingly. 'These trees could go without rain for another 2 weeks,' he said. 'You see, when they were young, I frequently kept water from them. This hardship caused them to send their roots deeper into the soil in search of moisture. Now mine are the deepest-rooted trees in the area. While others are being scorched by the sun, these are finding moisture at a greater depth.'"

Our suffering gives us an opportunity to send our roots deep down into God's word and His strength. It is one way that we learn to live in the presence of God which further gives us an opportunity to understand that we need to do that ALL the time, even when we aren't suffering!

What are your thoughts? Post a comment!