Romans 8:18-25

                                                                     Romans 8:18-25

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

 

There are many consequences to sin that are felt by all people and all of creation.  However, these consequences are not permanent.  Because of the work of Christ on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, we have an eternal hope.  The suffering caused by sin will come to an end for all who believe as well as all of creation.  This truth should fill our lives with hope as we as we wait for the promises of God to be fulfilled at His coming.

 

BELIEVERS SUFFER WHILE WAITING FOR GLORY: The suffering we face today is because of sin and the consequences of sin.  We suffer because of our own sin, the sins of others and because we live in a fallen world.  However, Christ has died for sin, so it has been defeated and we are no longer hopeless before sin.  The hope we have is for future glory.  The truth is that our present sufferings are insignificant in comparison to our future glory.  This is true in at least two ways.  The first is qualitative in that our present sufferings are not as bad as our future glory will be good.  Our current situation is not filled with suffering.  We have many joy filled experiences mixed in with our sufferings.  The second is quantitative because our glory will be eternal while our sufferings are only temporary.  We have many reasons to rejoice.  

 

CREATION GROANS WHILE WAITING FOR FREEDOM: The world in which we live also groans under the consequences of sin.  God created the world to meet physical needs of people who are created in His image.  Prior to sin, nature gave an abundance of food and provided and ideal environment in which we could live and thrive.  Due to the curse after the fall of man, nature still provides, but so much of the planet is unproductive due to extreme temperatures, pestilence and uneven rainfall.  Additionally, there are natural disasters, diseases, and many other difficulties with which we must constantly contend.  The New Earth in which we will live for eternity will have none of these things.  Nature wants and waits for our redemption to come.  

 

BELIEVERS HOPE WHILE WAITING FOR REDEMPTION: We too groan under the consequences of sin with which we must continue to live.  But the Spirit who lives in us gives us hope and assurance that we have better things yet to come.  The fact that the Spirit indwells believers is like a down payment on the greater glory that is still to be revealed in us.  We cannot see this glory and we cannot experience the benefits of it but we live in hope for it.  The lives of believers are marked but the same sufferings that all men face.  However, we have a hope that unbelievers simply cannot have.  We cannot see it but that is where faith comes into play.  It is far better to suffer with hope than in the hopelessness of the world.

 

APPLICATION: Do not be discouraged by the sufferings we face.  Know that they are temporary and that there is a glorious future prepared for us.  Be a wise steward of the Earth on which we live but live in hope of the New Earth that will be far superior and more enjoyable.  Don’t lose hope no matter how difficult our current struggles might become.

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