The flesh, suffering, and glory for God

I was reading my Bible about three months ago, and while I was reading it was as if one verse in particular jumped off the page and smacked me in the face. To put it another way, I believe it was the Holy Spirit's finger highlighting it. That verse was John 21:18, and it reads, "Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go."

This verse captures everything I am going through presently it seems as well. The context of this verse is Jesus' and Peter's reunion after Peter's denial of His Lord. The Lord was prophesying over Peter a hard thing about his future, one in which his flesh could not receive. Jesus was describing the death of Peter on account of his witness for the gospel and the way in which he would glorify God.

I must say I have realized I must suffer with Christ outside the camp. The flesh in my own life must be crucified daily. This practically has not happened on a consistent basis in times past. Lord let me not repeat my folly. He who has suffered has ceased from sin, and those who abide in the Spirit will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. The man in Romans 7 must be a miserable person, I can identify with him perfectly in times past. It is now time to transition to Romans 8 where I realize my weakness, and cry out Abba Father. Abiding in the Spirit and knowing the Father's love is a wonderful thing. It can only be decribed as other wordly. That's why the world cannot receive Him, that is the Holy Spirit.

I want to know what it is to suffer for Christ on His terms, for this is a priviledge where true joy can only be found. Life will be void and meaningless if we chase after the comforts of Sodom, it will all burn away anyway. Righteous Lot must have been a miserable Lot while in Sodom.

There is a revival for God's people. Even so come Lord Jesus.