Martin Luther wrote much about the “Theology of the Cross” vs. the “Theology of Glory.” What’s the difference? Some falsely preach and teach that if you are truly a Christian, God will make you “successful” in life.
But sin and its suffering effect is part of living in this world. Moreover, Jesus’ kingdom of glory is “not of this world” (John 18:36). “In this life you will have trouble” (John 16:33; Acts 14:22), Jesus said. We see this truth in how our Savior—the perfect God-man—had to suffer and die, although He was innocent of any sin.
Nevertheless, Jesus assures His believers: “But take heart I have overcome the [sinful] world” (John 16:33). While Christians still experience the consequences of sin, which are troubles and eventual death (Romans 6:23), Jesus won eternal victory over sin and death by His redeeming work (Romans 4:25; John 14:19). That’s why Paul assured that despite sin’s troubles in this life: “…in all these things we are more than conquerors through him whom loved us” (Romans 8:37).
What an important reminder for us as individuals and as the church.
Those who expect to see outward success in the preaching of the gospel tend to despair when they encounter “failure.” Jesus measures “success,” however, by how faithfully His believers proclaim His word and rightly administer His sacraments. That’s why in this life we imitate Jesus in His state of humiliation and not His state of exaltation. That’s the “Theology of the Cross” vs. the “Theology of Glory.”