Section 7
Christ could never have a Body. Thus, the many sons of God are for the kingdom of God, and the many brothers of Christ are for the Body of Christ. The kingdom of God is simply the Body life, and this Body life in the church is God's kingdom where He is expressed and where His dominion is exercised on the earth.
Therefore verse 30 says, "And whom He predestinated, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." In eternity we were predestinated, and in time we were called.
Why does God arrange our environment, surroundings, and situations in such a way that we experience suffering? We must realize that God's purpose is to make us full-grown sons, not little children. We should not be content to remain children enjoying His cherishing and loving. God intends to make us full sons, com pletely grown up to be legal heirs that we may inherit all that He is in this universe and that we may express Him and exercise His dominion over the earth. Since God's intention is to bring us into full sonship, we need to grow. There is no doubt that growth comes from inward nour ishment, but this inner nourishment needs the coordination of the outward environment.