The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 225

common t-0 men as men, but which have to Christians a signlfioation different from thRt which they hRve to others. All men have to endure, more or less, weakness e.nd sufforing of bc>dy, depression of mind, bereRvements, changes in outward circumstances, and other afflictions providentially appointed or permitted. But to Christiane these come as messages and monitions from the heavenly Father, and they have to be accepted in the spirit which the Lord Jesus has displayed and exemplified. When suffering and sorrow are borne in the spirit of him who said, "Not mr will, 0 mr FRther, but thine be done," then there is evidence of fellowship with the Lord. Il. CHRISTIANS SHALL HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST IN GLORY, Jt is 8 sign of God's great oondesceni.ion and fatherly kindness that he, in his Word, deigns to cheer and enoourage his poor, suffering, struggling children, in their encounter with life's ills, by the assurance that in due time the shadows shall flee away, and the bright' morning shall break upon their sight, He does not even say merely," Your eufl'erings shall oome to an end; your toil and conflict shall be followed by repose.'' This Is said; but, mth it, something more. Victory, triumph, glory, festive joy,-such is the prospect held out to ns. To be told that we shall be glorified with Christ seems too much; it is only credible because it is the assurance of him who cannot lie. With regard to the glory of our Saviour, we have material for judging. Something of his proper outward glory appeared when he was transfigured; more when he '1111.S raised from the dead, and when he ascended on high. Yet his real glory was, and surely ever must be, spiritual Ewted to the throne of heaven, our Saviour's glory is ro be discerned in the loyalty and affection with which he is regarded by human hearts, the joy with which his authority is practically acknowledged by the natures which have felt his love and holiness. Christ was, when here upon earth, in his humiliation, the same in character and in nature as now, but the hindrances to his recognition have been removed, and his glory is now apparent. Our Saviour himself intimated that his faithful people should participate in his approaching glory. They should sit on thrones of judgment. Having been with him in his tribulations, having drank of his cup and received his baptism, they were appointed to reign with him and to see his glory. It was a lesson deeply impressed upon the minds of Christ's companions. "If we suffer with him," said one, "we shall also reign with him." They spoke of a crown which they believed to be reserved for them. They looked for an inheritance incorruptible and unfading. And the chief element in future blessedness and glory they deemed to be union and association with their Lord:. To· be ever with him, to see him as he is,-this was all their desire and hope. There seems· something so utterly alien to our poor, feeble, sinful humanity in the" glory" which is revealed as the future lot and life of the Christian, that it is not easy for a sober mind to take in the thought. Yet it is plainly taught that Christians shall appear with their Lord in glory, that they are called to eternal glory. This may be explained by two remarks. First, the chief glory is moral and spiritual; to be delivered from sin, and to be changed into the same image with Christ,-that is glory. Secondly, whatever glory may att.end the Lord's people in the future life is simply that which ·he sheds. To be near Jesus is to receive from him something of that holy radiance which is native and proper to him, and ever streams from him. • PRACTICAL LES8()1.B. 1. Let those who have been bereaved of Christian kindred and friends learn to submit with resignation to the will of God. Concerning those who sleep in Jesus, we may well believe that their sufferings are over and their glory has begun. 2. Let those to whom the Christian life is a scene of trial and conflict cultivate patience and fortitude. Think not of your experience as something strange happening to you. It is the path which our Lord and all his followers have trodden before you. 3. Let those whose oonflict has been protracted, and who must soon la7- down the weapons of the earthly warfare, cherish the hopes which are justified by God a W c,rd, and look forward with lowly faith to the glory of the heavenly jnheritance, Ver. 18.-8uffm1VJ quenched in gwry. It is not easy to weigh the future against the pr81!en.t. 'fo children, and to the unreflecting, the present seems so real, and the future so shadowy, tLat the least advantage or relief to-day seems immensely preferable to WJmetbing in it11clf more desirable, but which is deferred to a distant dat/3. .Aa kru,wlooge and thought advance, the power of rC'alizing the future l11Creasoa. Hence oa. vm. 1-39.J THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS. 223