Here is an early addition of my August newsletter column, Across the Pastor’s Desk, for you web folks. It follows onto Sunday’s sermon.
This past Sunday we saw from Romans 8 that Christians are not exempt from suffering. The Apostle says that, “We know that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed in us.” Glory? Yes, someday, for we are fellow heirs with Christ—“provided we suffer with him in order that we may be glorified with him.” (Romans 8:17-18) That does not exempt us from suffering today.
What is suffering? We find a good example of it in 2nd Corinthians 11:16-29, wherein St. Paul list the perils and dangers that he has passed through for the sake of Christ, and Christ’s body which is the church. (See Col. 124) In the Corinthians passage Paul list everything from beatings, and stoning, to betrayal, that is a biggie, to going hungry, or thirsty, or passing “many a sleepless night.” He even mentions the additional burden of the “anxiety” he feels for the churches—on a daily basis!
