SUFFERING TO GLORY

Romans 8:18-30

The best of God is for His children, and it is not behind them but before them. God’s plan for His creation was made clear from the beginning for He witnessed that all He created was “very good”. In God’s plan, as we study steps to living a fulfilled life from the scripture passage we read, the future for God’s children is glorious. In understanding this phenomenon, we must identify the children of God and what qualifies them for this exalted position.

1. Genesis 1:1-2 | John 1:1-3 – This is a confirmation that God is the Creator of all that we see. Use and operation of what we see is not controlled solely by God – see Psalm 115:16.
2. Genesis 1:28 – God gave dominion of everything He created to man.
3. Genesis 3 | Romans 5:12-21 – Man lost his authority on earth to satan through sin. One can safely deduce that man lost his identity as a child of God for he was no longer subjected to God’s leading. He was being led by his sinful nature. Even with the sinful nature, the man in his fallen state is still God’s creation.
4. Matthew 1:18-25 | John 3:16-17 – As prophesied, God’s redemptive plan of God was revealed through Jesus Christ.
5. John 1:12-13 | Romans 8:14-17 | 1 John 3:1-3 – Returning to God through Jesus Christ and being led by the Spirit of God qualifies us to be called “Children of God”.

It is evident that salvation is through Jesus Christ alone and it is available to all who would come back to God through Jesus Christ – Isaiah 42:1-2 | Matthew 1:21 | John 14:6 | Acts 4:12 | Acts 10:43 | 1 Timothy 2:5-6.

Since man fell and was excluded, everyone that will be saved will have to accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God – who came to die for the sins of the world. This in essence is referred to as being born again and explained to Nicodemus by Jesus Christ in John 3:1-15.

God did not create, nor did He send anyone into the world to perish in their sins or end up in hell. God’s intention is for His human creation to be more Christ-like on daily basis – this is predestination explained. No one was created to end up in hell but their refusal to accept JESUS CHRIST will end them in this God forsaken destination – John 3:18-21.

Discussion:

1. Can a believer sin or backslide? If Yes, what are the things to do to guide against this shortfall?
2. What is the explanation for the suffering for believers? Is there anything one can do without compromising to mitigate against such circumstances?
3. Why do bad things happen to good people? Is this statement a fallacy? Romans 3:10-11.
4. Our slogan as a Church is “knowing Jesus and making Him known!,” in a world full of deceit, evil-scheming and self-centeredness, what can our church members practice to overcome opposing forces?
5. With our children, holding the tenets of the Bible is no longer fashionable. What can the Church do to curb worldliness/new ageism/modernism without diluting the Word of God? Gender issues, fashion e.g., dressing, tattoo, piercing etc.

Prayer.