50. Glory revealed
Romans 8:18 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.
God promises that glory shall be revealed in us. When we identify with Christ by faith the glory that is of Jesus Christ is already in us, but it is covered over and obscured by the sinful flesh that still remains, even though forgiven. One Day in the future that glory in us will be revealed; it will shine forth to be seen by all, both by myself and by others. The Sin that obscures now will be gone and the glory in us will be revealed on That Day. That glory of Christ that is in us now is glimpsed from time to time in the good works that the Holy Spirit is able to do in us. It doesn’t look like glory, at least not as we expect it to appear; it looks like love. When we die the glory already in us will be revealed and it will be seen for what it is, the glorious love of God.
When we see the glory revealed to sight we will discover that the sufferings of this present time cannot even be compared with the glory. Another way of saying this is that if we could measure the sufferings on some kind of scale it would be a number 1; the glory, if it could be counted, would be a number of 1 million or more. The comparisons are worthless. It is hard to remember when we are suffering, but the truth is that we would welcome the sufferings if we could see the amazing glory that one single minute of suffering is preparing. Since we don’t see it the Word of God must reveal what we can’t see, and so by faith we see. We believe the Truth even though we do not see it. God uses every piece of suffering to prepare us for the grand glory that will be revealed. In God’s economy glory always follows suffering when we hang on to the promises of God.
The Bible is full of suffering and the “promise” of suffering: there will be trial and tribulation while we enter the kingdom of God. The promise says: “Allow the suffering and endure it with faith in Christ, and the glory will be revealed. Wait for it with patience and faith.” God allows suffering and God uses it to work glory. It will come; just trust the promise.