11. The Suffering Heirs of God (Romans 8:17)
This sermon was preached on 14/1/2010
Paul continues detailing the blessings of adoption, of what it means for a person to belong to God’s family. The main blessing is the presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God’s people, as he enables them to pray as children to a Father and to do so with a strong measure of assurance, not only about their status but also about their possessions. In verse 17 Paul mentions that adoption brings to every believer the status of an heir of God, although perhaps surprisingly this status does not remove suffering in this life. His words here are staggering in their height, and in their depth.
The position we enjoy
Paul informs his readers that they are ‘heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ’. To appreciate what the inheritance is, we need to discover what Christ’s inheritance is. One description of the Saviour’s inheritance is given in Hebrews 1:1-2: ‘Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.’ Among other features, this reference to Jesus’ inheritance points forward to what he will receive in the future, in the new heavens and new earth.
One way to understand what this means is to contrast it with Adam and his inheritance. At the beginning, Adam was given the earth as his inheritance, with his joint-heirs being his descendants. That was its spatial dimensions. Within that spatial inheritance he would have many other blessings, primarily the knowledge of God. Sadly, the first Adam failed to keep the covenant God made with him, with the result that he and his fellow-heirs lost their inheritance.
Jesus has come to rescue his fellow-heirs and their lost inheritance. He rescued them initially by his substitutionary life and death when he provided the basis of their forgiveness and acceptance with God. The rescue mission continues with his resurrection, ascension and enthronement because from heaven he governs circumstances in order to deliver his people. It will climax when he resurrects them from the dead and transforms them into his image. Then when all his co-heirs have been made ready for the inheritance, he will bring it into existence with the appearance of the new heavens and new earth.
Jesus wants to share his inheritance with us. In family life, when one member receives a share of the inheritance, the others are deprived of the share that he received. Such an inheritance was divided into several parts. But God’s spiritual inheritance is shared among all his children by the Elder Brother. His heirship was deserved, ours is given graciously. Our right to the inheritance is connected to Christ’s right to it.
A helpful means to see our inheritance is to consider it in three ways. First, part of our inheritance is the created universe of time and space. They are ours because they now belong to Jesus as the last Adam. We know they belong to Jesus now from what he said in the Great Commission, that he now possesses all authority in heaven and earth. Because he is in control they all belong to us: ‘So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future — all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God’s’ (1 Cor. 3:21-23). The term that describes this is providence. And a major part of providence is suffering.
Second, our inheritance includes the fullness of blessing in the new heavens and new earth. What it involves we can only guess. It will involve exploration, satisfaction, sharing with our fellow-heirs all that God has for us. This is what is meant by glory.
Closely connected to both the state of suffering and the state of glory, indeed the essence of each as far as the inheritance is concerned, is the experiential knowledge of God. All that happens to us in this life, and all that will be given to us in the next life, has this primary concern – to reveal God.
The pain we experience
There is a wide range of types of pain that a Christian experiences. The type that is most likely to come to mind is bad health. We experience this along with those who are not Christians. It is the consequence of Adam’s fall. No doubt Paul has this type of pain in mind, although it is probably not the type that is prominent. Paul is saying that there is a parallel between what the Elder Brother experienced and what his fellow-heirs go through, and Jesus did not experience illnesses. The New Testament often has in mind by sufferings those that come to us because we are Christians. Paul defines suffering as something we experience with and for Christ.
What kind of sufferings are these? There is the pain of persecution when our spiritual enemies physically inflict pain on us because we follow the Saviour. There is the pain of rejection when our closest friends, and sometimes family members, reject us because of our faith. There is the pain of temptation, when the devil or something else tempts our hearts to sin. There is the pain of self-denial when we give up something, perhaps a thing not sinful in itself, because we want to promote the cause of Christ or encourage his people.
Such suffering was the desire of Paul, the mature servant of Christ. In Philippians 3:10, he wrote that he wanted to know Christ in the following manner: ‘that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.’ Indeed, for Paul, opposition for Christ’s sake was a privilege; he reminded Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:8: ‘Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.’
Such sufferings had benefits. For example, Paul knew that they equipped him to administer comfort to others: ‘For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort’ (2 Cor. 1:5-7). They also gave spiritual strength; in Romans 5:3 he writes, ‘More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance.’
It is not only Paul that had this outlook. Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:13: ‘But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.’ Their teaching is the same as Jesus in Matthew 5:10-12: ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’
As we think of these kinds of suffering, and suffering in general, we can make some comments. First, suffering is guaranteed; Jesus told his disciples that in the world they would have tribulation (John 16:33). Said Paul in 2 Timothy 3:12: ‘Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.’
Second, such suffering is glory-connected. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: ‘So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.’ Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:7: ‘That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ’ (KJV).
Third, such suffering is graciously-provided. Suffering, of whatever kind, removes from us all other supports but God. Suffering also teaches us that this world is not our home. It also produces in us the fruit of the Spirit. Suffering enables us to help others. Suffering is a test of loyalty. It gets rid of superficiality in our Christian lives. God sends difficulties, including sufferings, for these reasons.
Fourth, our suffering is a means of experiencing the gentle sympathy, enabling strength and personal presence of Christ. He draws near to those who suffer for his sake; he is with them through every stage.
The prospect we expect
Paul mentions the wonderful goal ahead of Christians – to be glorified with Christ. The Saviour gives a foretaste of this in Luke 22:28-30: ‘You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.’ Peter also points to this marvellous reality when he says in 1 Peter 4:12-13: ‘Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.’ I already mentioned the Saviour’s promise concerning those persecuted for the sake of righteousness, that their reward in heaven is great.
It is a comfort to know that the suffering Saviour and his suffering people will share glory together. The Elder Brother does not want the full inheritance to come until all his loyal, dedicated servants are with him for ever. He will ensure that ‘tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword will not separate us from his love? (Rom. 8:35).
The position we enjoy
Paul informs his readers that they are ‘heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ’. To appreciate what the inheritance is, we need to discover what Christ’s inheritance is. One description of the Saviour’s inheritance is given in Hebrews 1:1-2: ‘Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.’ Among other features, this reference to Jesus’ inheritance points forward to what he will receive in the future, in the new heavens and new earth.
One way to understand what this means is to contrast it with Adam and his inheritance. At the beginning, Adam was given the earth as his inheritance, with his joint-heirs being his descendants. That was its spatial dimensions. Within that spatial inheritance he would have many other blessings, primarily the knowledge of God. Sadly, the first Adam failed to keep the covenant God made with him, with the result that he and his fellow-heirs lost their inheritance.
Jesus has come to rescue his fellow-heirs and their lost inheritance. He rescued them initially by his substitutionary life and death when he provided the basis of their forgiveness and acceptance with God. The rescue mission continues with his resurrection, ascension and enthronement because from heaven he governs circumstances in order to deliver his people. It will climax when he resurrects them from the dead and transforms them into his image. Then when all his co-heirs have been made ready for the inheritance, he will bring it into existence with the appearance of the new heavens and new earth.
Jesus wants to share his inheritance with us. In family life, when one member receives a share of the inheritance, the others are deprived of the share that he received. Such an inheritance was divided into several parts. But God’s spiritual inheritance is shared among all his children by the Elder Brother. His heirship was deserved, ours is given graciously. Our right to the inheritance is connected to Christ’s right to it.
A helpful means to see our inheritance is to consider it in three ways. First, part of our inheritance is the created universe of time and space. They are ours because they now belong to Jesus as the last Adam. We know they belong to Jesus now from what he said in the Great Commission, that he now possesses all authority in heaven and earth. Because he is in control they all belong to us: ‘So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future — all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God’s’ (1 Cor. 3:21-23). The term that describes this is providence. And a major part of providence is suffering.
Second, our inheritance includes the fullness of blessing in the new heavens and new earth. What it involves we can only guess. It will involve exploration, satisfaction, sharing with our fellow-heirs all that God has for us. This is what is meant by glory.
Closely connected to both the state of suffering and the state of glory, indeed the essence of each as far as the inheritance is concerned, is the experiential knowledge of God. All that happens to us in this life, and all that will be given to us in the next life, has this primary concern – to reveal God.
The pain we experience
There is a wide range of types of pain that a Christian experiences. The type that is most likely to come to mind is bad health. We experience this along with those who are not Christians. It is the consequence of Adam’s fall. No doubt Paul has this type of pain in mind, although it is probably not the type that is prominent. Paul is saying that there is a parallel between what the Elder Brother experienced and what his fellow-heirs go through, and Jesus did not experience illnesses. The New Testament often has in mind by sufferings those that come to us because we are Christians. Paul defines suffering as something we experience with and for Christ.
What kind of sufferings are these? There is the pain of persecution when our spiritual enemies physically inflict pain on us because we follow the Saviour. There is the pain of rejection when our closest friends, and sometimes family members, reject us because of our faith. There is the pain of temptation, when the devil or something else tempts our hearts to sin. There is the pain of self-denial when we give up something, perhaps a thing not sinful in itself, because we want to promote the cause of Christ or encourage his people.
Such suffering was the desire of Paul, the mature servant of Christ. In Philippians 3:10, he wrote that he wanted to know Christ in the following manner: ‘that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.’ Indeed, for Paul, opposition for Christ’s sake was a privilege; he reminded Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:8: ‘Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.’
Such sufferings had benefits. For example, Paul knew that they equipped him to administer comfort to others: ‘For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort’ (2 Cor. 1:5-7). They also gave spiritual strength; in Romans 5:3 he writes, ‘More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance.’
It is not only Paul that had this outlook. Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:13: ‘But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.’ Their teaching is the same as Jesus in Matthew 5:10-12: ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’
As we think of these kinds of suffering, and suffering in general, we can make some comments. First, suffering is guaranteed; Jesus told his disciples that in the world they would have tribulation (John 16:33). Said Paul in 2 Timothy 3:12: ‘Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.’
Second, such suffering is glory-connected. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: ‘So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.’ Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:7: ‘That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ’ (KJV).
Third, such suffering is graciously-provided. Suffering, of whatever kind, removes from us all other supports but God. Suffering also teaches us that this world is not our home. It also produces in us the fruit of the Spirit. Suffering enables us to help others. Suffering is a test of loyalty. It gets rid of superficiality in our Christian lives. God sends difficulties, including sufferings, for these reasons.
Fourth, our suffering is a means of experiencing the gentle sympathy, enabling strength and personal presence of Christ. He draws near to those who suffer for his sake; he is with them through every stage.
The prospect we expect
Paul mentions the wonderful goal ahead of Christians – to be glorified with Christ. The Saviour gives a foretaste of this in Luke 22:28-30: ‘You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.’ Peter also points to this marvellous reality when he says in 1 Peter 4:12-13: ‘Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.’ I already mentioned the Saviour’s promise concerning those persecuted for the sake of righteousness, that their reward in heaven is great.
It is a comfort to know that the suffering Saviour and his suffering people will share glory together. The Elder Brother does not want the full inheritance to come until all his loyal, dedicated servants are with him for ever. He will ensure that ‘tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword will not separate us from his love? (Rom. 8:35).
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