The Joy of Glory

Romans 8 (click here)
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

…in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:1, 18, 26, 34, and 37-39)

Reflection
I don’t know where you are today or what you are currently going through. I don’t know if you’re experiencing good times or bad times. I don’t know what may be coming your way tomorrow.

But there are a few things I do know…

If you are “in Christ,” then no suffering you ever experience is condemnation towards you! There is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. He took every ounce of condemnation we ever deserved and bore it in his flesh upon the cross, putting it to death in his death!

The sufferings of this present time are not condemnation, nor will they ultimately conquer us! They will give way to glory! Glory is coming! Ultimate, eternal, joy-filled glory! It may not feel like it, and you may not be able to see it right now…but ultimate glory will be revealed to all those who are “in Christ” when they finally see Christ (Revelation 22:4)!

When we see the brightness of his face…our sufferings will not even compare! Our sufferings will be like a flashlight set next to the sun…for Jesus face shines like the sun (Revelation 1:16). As bright and unbearable as all those sufferings felt…they will be outshined by the eternal-joy-giving-glory of Jesus!

That hope may seem faint right now when you are in the midst of a world and a life steeped in pain, but take heart… the Holy Spirit of God is praying for you right now, even when you don’t know how to pray for yourself. And, he is not alone… Jesus Christ is interceding for you! God the Father receives all these prayers! The every person of the triune God is involved in praying for you amidst all your pain! Take heart!

Pain, suffering, sin and death will not conquer because they will never separate you from the love of God that is yours in Christ Jesus!

I don’t know where you are or what you are going through today, but if you belong to Christ then I know this… wherever you are…you are with him…and whatever you’re going through… eternal joy in him is yours today and forever… and nothing can take him away from you!

You are in Christ… always.

*All previous devotionals may be found at www.thejoyofglory.com
*The complete SVCC Lenten reading guide is available here.