“Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering…. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
1 Peter 4:12-13
Years ago, I decided to work more at committing Scripture to memory and memorized the first eight chapters of Romans. Even throughout that long process, however, there were some verses I hadn’t especially meditated on. Two of them have impacted my thinking greatly over the past six years.
The first says, “If we are children [of God], 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” (8:17). Have you experienced suffering of some kind? Remember that God promises to use your suffering in His perfectly-planned process of glorifying you with Jesus.
The second verse says, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (8:29). God is working everything, including our adversity, to transform us from moment to moment into the image of Christ who holds the position of highest honor in the great family of God. You and I are in that family!
The first says, “If we are children [of God], 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” (8:17). Have you experienced suffering of some kind? Remember that God promises to use your suffering in His perfectly-planned process of glorifying you with Jesus.
The second verse says, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (8:29). God is working everything, including our adversity, to transform us from moment to moment into the image of Christ who holds the position of highest honor in the great family of God. You and I are in that family!
Scripture Focus
Romans 8
Insight
“We are like blocks of stone out of which the Sculptor carves [us]. The blows of his chisel, which hurt us so much, are what make us perfect.” (C.S. Lewis, 1940)
Bible In A Year
- 2 Samuel 23-24
- Psalm 148
- 1 Timothy 5-6
