Romans 8:17-18, It Will Be Worth It All

Romans 8:17-18 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 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.

The Apostle Paul offers us the blessed Christian hope of a glorious future to encourage believers to persevere in their walk with God. He was brought to see the glory of heaven. This was his testimony:

2 Corinthians 12:2-4 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

The Apostle Paul had to endure countless hardship in following Jesus. He looked to Jesus counted the cost, despising the shame, looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of his faith. There is reward waiting the faithful servant!

2 Corinthians 11:23-28 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

Esther Kerr Ruston (1909-1962) wrote the hymn “When We See Christ” to encourage believers to endure the sufferings of this present life knowing that there is reward awaiting the faithful:

Stanza 1

Oft-times the day seemed long, our trials had to bear,

We’re tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;

But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,

All tears forever over in God’s eternal day.

Refrain

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,

Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;

One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,

So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Stanza 2

Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,

We’re tossed and driven on, no human help in sight;

But there is one in heav’n who knows our deepest care,

Let Jesus solve your problem just go to Him in prayer.

Refrain

Stanza 3

Life’s day will soon be o’vr, all storms forever past,

We’re cross the great divide to glory, safe at last;

We’ll share the joys of heav’n a harp, a home, a crown,

The tempter will be banished, we’ll lay our burdens down.

Refrain

May the Lord find us faithful. Amen.