“and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:17-19).
God’s amazing grace and manifold wisdom eternally purposed human salvation in Christ so that each person’s past, present, and future are triumphantly addressed.
The guilt of past sin in dealt with decisively via justification: “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).
The besetting practice and stain of present sin is dealt with via sanctification: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).
The removal of sin’s scars and our own human shortcomings is dealt with via glorification: “the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).
Human imagination is challenged beyond its capacity when striving to adequately conceptualize the future perfection and glory which awaits every child/heir of God.
The confident expectation of immortality and glorification ought to be a massive, steadying anchor of your soul, especially during life’s most turbulent storms.
