“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance…” Ro5.3 ESV
More than what, we say? Well, we rejoice not only in our hope of heaven but also in the processes that bring us to it. Christ is our hope of glory, not just going to glory mind you, but also our transformation into gloriously new creatures. And, it would seem that for the present, sufferings help bring this transformation about, not the suffering itself but the opportunity to endure it with patience. Why is this important? The next verse tells us, “and endurance produces character.” When it comes to the transformation of our character, we might prefer an elevator but God is telling us to take the stairs.
Fundamentally, church is not a place we go, it is something we are. In the same sense, I believe this is true of heaven. It is not just a place we are going; it is something we are becoming. I think much of heaven will be heaven simply because we will be different. 1/21/2008 ts
Just me trying to be honest with God.
