Our Suffering - His Glory

Our Daily Bread’s reading today was Romans 8:14-17 (http://odb.org/2015/09/25/first-steps/). Bill Crowder pointed out that these verses speak of the Holy Spirit’s ministry to us. He leads us, gives us the ability to call God “Abba,” Father, and confirms our salvation. Doesn’t that sound good? Then read the last half of verse 17 … “provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Rom 8:17 ESV). The first hint of suffering comes from verse 11, promising that the Spirit will raise us because Jesus was raised. We are warned that following Jesus could cost us our physical life. Paul also follows the passage with a reminder that the suffering of this world are not even worth thinking about because of the glory that awaits us when all creation will be restored (vs. 21) and our bodies will be redeemed (vs. 23). However, we must remember that this glory is not for us but for Jesus. When we are conformed to His image (vs. 29), it brings glory to Him. Yes, the suffering in this world is here to conform us to Jesus image and bring glory to Him.