A GLORY OF GOD LIFE
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
Romans 8:15-17 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
I love the balance of this passage from Paul. He reminds us as followers of Christ we are not “fearful slaves.” We are now children of God and therefore heirs of our Father God. We are “heirs of God’s glory”—but to share His glory “we must also share his suffering.” Throughout my time in church there has been a varied emphasis on one or the other of these extremes. There have been those who emphasize the responsibility we have to take up our cross daily and die to everything in order to be true followers of Jesus. In this camp we are told that suffering, pain, and sorrow should be normal for followers of Jesus. Then you have the other camp that chooses to emphasize that we are heirs of God’s glory there we should live in prosperity and comfort. In this camp we should reject all discomfort as an attack of the devil and claim the promises we have from God. I believe there is a balance of the two extremes. I totally agree that we must die to the desires of my flesh as a follower of Jesus. This includes giving up selfishness, materialism, and greed. These are all sin and should not be clothed in false teaching. But on the other hand I believe God is a loving Heavenly Father and He wants to bless His children who are walking in obedience to Him. That doesn’t mean we will not have times of suffering and self-denial. It just means that we believe God is working in us and through us and He will give us everything we need to have a fulfilling and joyful life. Satisfaction in life can never be found in stuff. Satisfaction is found in discovering why I was placed on earth and committing myself to do that for which God created me. If I go through times of struggle or discomfort in that process, it is okay because it is part of God’s process of preparing me to be used for His glory. My life is to be lived for the glory of God not my personal comfort.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit, help me today to accept Your plan and assignment for my life. Help me to lean into Your wisdom and understanding. Help me to accept whatever price I must pay in order to be the person You want me to be.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”