And therefore accordingly does it concern us to mind this time, and to be sure to be good husbands of it; not to strive or squander it away we care not how, but to have a special regard hereunto. It refers to all the creation, outside of man himself, with which man has to do; our "world," which is connected by a mysterious solidarity with ourselves, sorrowing in our sorrow, rejoicing in our joy. Thirdly, this may be also evinced unto us, even from the principles of superstition itself. The having free, constant, uninterrupted communion with the Father of glory through the Lord of glory, and by the glorious Spirit.III. We are going to be involved in it. The apostle does not say, "I know," for he had not drained the cup of earthly sorrow, and had but tasted the cup of heavenly joy. But the glory is that of an immortal being; a being that can die no more either in soul or body.IV. 21), he expresses the magnitude of the afflictions, and in the oft-repeated "creature," "whole creation" (ver. With our deserts and our deep sense of the evil of sin.3. Their duration. The height of the glory depends upon the attainment of the grace; and the attainment of the grace is according to the elevation of the faith; and the degree of the faith is in proportion to its exercise; and the exercise lays among afflictions. We ask in Jesus' name, Amen. They must be placed in contrast, as to their —I. )The prospect of future gloryDean Burgon.1. That is what Paul says the world is doing. And, looking at both worlds with this connected and enlarged experience, he pronounces the judgment stated in the text.4. "What more," you may ask, "do we want?" The narrow capacity of the mind, likewise, cannot admit at once a very large measure of trouble of any kind; one sorrow is wont to displace another.2. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (7) Our sufferings dishonour us in the sight of the world, but this glory maketh us amiable in the sight of God. It is the same word which is here in the text. (Robert Hall, M.A. Swooning, and even death itself comes in, to the relief of those whose burden of woe is too great to be borne! Conclusion: Should any one standing on the threshold of the Christian life hesitate in view of its sufferings; or having put his hand to the plough, be disposed to look back; let him know that he is not fit for the kingdom of heaven. God's children, in regard of that state which happens unto them, have their best still at last. )Present suffering and future gloryP. The Christian, whatever his sufferings, may have peace in his conscience, and their edge is effectually taken off in his experience. Separation from every temporal fetter, also of the mortal body; hence glorious freedom (ver. Patience.3. Then, as according to the text, suffering is not to be compared with the glory. First, the reason and argument which God uses and takes from glory to persuade His children to suffering. Oh, how we are mocked: dust, dust, dust! So, also, we may institute a comparison, however remote, between the ocean and a lake, or river, or fountain, because water is essential in all; but there cannot well be a comparison between the ocean and a quadruped or a flower. But in the happiness of heaven there exists no disturbing fear to correspond with the hope that allays the sufferings of time. I groaned this morning when I got up. Dwelling in the believer Christ has still to meet the temptations of the devil and the contradictions of sinners.3. There is a bright prospect beyond. First, to show you that it is so. Secondly, he had experience. But the truth is found in the plaints which are known by all, and which Job expressed (Job 7:1-3). The glory is yet future — it is not yet felt — whilst the suffering is felt. (Compare the "for" in ver. But, although our suffering is in no sense the foundation or price of the glory, the one, nevertheless, leads to the other — is a condition of, or contribution to the other, as is stated in the preceding verse. One of the circumstances frequently attendant on the sufferings of this life is solitude.2. Behold the widow, orphan, prisoner, slave. It is a time of great opportunity, which God does afford unto us. Paul is telling us here that we can wait with patience because nature testifies his glorious coming, and our own experience confirms it as well. Adoption (ver. But, although our suffering is in no sense the foundation or price of the glory, the one, nevertheless, leads to the other — is a condition of, or contribution to the other, as is stated in the preceding verse. These are not the things by which the world induces us to love and serve it. Conclusion: Should any one standing on the threshold of the Christian life hesitate in view of its sufferings; or having put his hand to the plough, be disposed to look back; let him know that he is not fit for the kingdom of heaven. Is the glory the soldier seeks to be had with ease? We need to bring into the comparison, in order to feel alleviation, those vast objects in the presence of which all temporal sorrow dwindles.We might compare, e.g., our own sufferings —1. And therefore let all proud wits stoop and veil to this. The Christian, whatever his sufferings, may have peace in his conscience, and their edge is effectually taken off in his experience. But the glory to be revealed in us will be the glory of an angel. THIS FAITH MUST BE OFTEN EXERCISED BY SERIOUS MEDITATIONS. If here now it shall be further demanded what this glory we now speak of is, and wherein it consists. One of the circumstances frequently attendant on the sufferings of this life is solitude.2. The eye will be strengthened to behold those beams of Divine effulgence which, were they to be manifested to us now, would blind us with their blaze. Are the ends on which the student is bent achieved by laying his head on a soft pillow and dreaming of them? (2) The apostle has been distinguished, perhaps above all other men, by an anticipated experience of the glory of the future state (2 Corinthians 12:1-4). 18, is explained by ver. WHAT ARE THE SUFFERINGS HERE INTENDED.1. Well, but here is that which may satisfy them: that there is the greater comfort behind, that waits upon them. Is the glory the soldier seeks to be had with ease? (8) The order is to be considered. They are thus rendered very imperfect. God's children, in regard of that state which happens unto them, have their best still at last. We are accustomed to attach weight to the opinions of those who have had much experience in the things of which they speak. But it is wrong to see it that way. Think of the beauty of nature -- and yet every area is spoiled by thorns and thistles, and various things that mark this decay. The suffering of this present time, that is, as much as this moment any suffering; this suffering, which is but of short continuance. Dwelling in the believer Christ has still to meet the temptations of the devil and the contradictions of sinners. Glory, which excludes every woe, is the certain destiny of the Christian, so that the sorrowful condition of the present world appears to him as a prophecy of this destiny. The suffering leads to the glory. Or again, to be shown the providences which watched over our lives; to recognise the hand of Love in every blow which overtook us, every disappointment which afflicted us; yea, to be restored, and that eternally, to everything we had ever loved and lost — these things and more, told over ten thousand times, convey but a feeble picture, a faint image of the blessedness of Heaven! Strutt.I. THEY SELDOM PROCEED FROM THE HIGHEST SOURCE OF SUFFERING, and hence they are never sufferings of the severest nature. And so there is this in it, that affliction it is only for a season. Sonship does not exempt from sufferings — sometimes it even causes them — as when we are called to suffer on account of religion, especially in times of persecution. But, besides these, they have sufferings peculiar to themselves. First, the reason and argument which God uses and takes from glory to persuade His children to suffering. )Future glory an encouragement under present sufferingsH. Romans 7 Romans 8:18-25 Romans 9 | Expand chapter. WHAT IS THE GLORY TO BE REVEALED. The sufferings of the present time are the sufferings of a creature of a day (1 Corinthians 7:29-31). Instead of the thousand forms of human woe which crowd the span of life with diversified sorrow, there will be consummated happiness; every form of pleasure which holy and exalted souls can take in.III. This grace is the root both of the sufferings and the glory. It was then a time of persecution; but the truth of our text is not to be confined to such a time. Not in all that profess Christianity. Earnest desire.(J. So, as there is no sameness of nature in sufferings and glory, they cannot be compared, unless to point out their dissimilarity be comparison.II. "I could have borne it had I merited it," is the world's word. Jesus Christ must needs suffer to enter into His glory. To do wrong is a greater evil than to suffer wrong.3. The second is the predicate, or consequent, in these words, "Are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." "Glory" is splendour, magnificence. )Future glory an encouragement under present sufferingsH. — so again, the beholding of the face of the Son of Man. Where we must first of all explain what is here meant by this present time. Any great weight of affliction soon crushes the frail body, and causes it to seek repose in death. Wherein we have the state of God's people in the world to come set forth under a threefold notion or description. )Present suffering and future glory in contrastD. But, although our suffering is in no sense the foundation or price of the glory, the one, nevertheless, leads to the other — is a condition of, or contribution to the other, as is stated in the preceding verse. Indeed Satan he many times offers those things for encouragements which have no substance or reality in them. 3. 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