Producing Eternal Glory

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18, ESV).

Intense suffering produces anguish, and anguish produces desperation. For true intimacy with God, we must be desperate for him, and suffering helps us with that. I’m not telling anyone to seek out suffering. Jesus tells us that there’s enough trouble in each day; we don’t need to look for more. Don’t go looking for persecution. If you’re living a life holy before God, persecution will find you. 

Scripture tells us that it rains on the just and unjust (see Matthew 5:45). That can be positive, but it also acknowledges that we are not immune to the world’s troubles. We have been freed from condemnation and eternal damnation; that is the power of the cross and blood of Jesus. I used to hear the scripture where Paul said, “In my weakness, he is strong”, and I would think that meant when I was depressed or weak, then God was strong for me. It was the mentality of “When I’m strong, I’ve got it! But when I’m weak, then God’s got it.” That’s not what that scripture is saying. The further I go in my Christian life, the more I am aware of how desperately I need God at all times. 

We must live in the reality of the cross every day. Suffering reveals whether the promises in scripture are just verses and facts that we know or whether they are realities in our life. In the darkest moments of my life, the joy of my salvation was still intact. This wasn’t positive thinking; this was a supernatural presence in my life.

I wish I walked in that victory all the time, but typically, what happens is I take my eyes ever so subtly off of Jesus and fix them in the mirror or on my circumstances. It’s not until the wind and waves come up and I realize I can’t see Jesus that I redirect back to God. 

There’s no oil of anointing without an olive press. Olives are crushed not just cut. We don’t get oil from just letting olives sit in a jar. We don’t get God’s reflection and purity without a crucible. We don’t get the reflection of our Savior without the refiner’s fire. There will be no image of Christ produced in us without suffering.

^{Joshua West serves as the Pastor's Network Director at World Challenge helping equip and empower pastors all over the world. Joshua’s desire is to raise up ministers who will correctly and boldly preach the word with passion and integrity. The point of all his work and writings is to preach the gospel, glorify God and to teach sound doctrine.}