Hope and Suffering
Romans 8:18-23
18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope
21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
22For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
23And 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.
I've always been a little fascinated by this personifcation attributed to the earth because of the impact that sin has upon all of creation. The earth is said to "groan" right along with us. If we look around it certainly seems like "groaning" when we observe earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, massive blizzards, and floods. And when the earth groans, mankind suffers as well. But in that suffering, which Paul declares unworthy of concern when compared to the glory that is coming, there is also hope for we know that we are waiting for something greater. What we wait for is the culmination of what we already possess - our adoption as the sons and daughters of the King.
Along with our adoption as God's children we will see the redemption of our bodies as well. On the glorious day when Jesus returns we will be reunited with our flesh (unless Jesus returns before these bodies die) and all will be redeemed. For an expanded discourse on this topic, see Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 15.
This passage is full of hope and Gospel. Paul does not negate the fact that we are suffering here becaues of our sin. But He almost casts that aside as a mere annoyance. For Him, it is all Good News. I think if someone is truly suffering perhaps these words are a bit hollow. But they are true and worth holding onto when the suffering grows intense. Paul speak specifically about this in his letter to the Philippians.
Philippians 4:12-13
I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
The invitation here is to lean into the Lord Jesus at all times. We increase our own suffering when we try to go it on our own. But we try that first anyway on so many ocassions. I think that Paul suffered through so much in his life that he learned how to press into the Lord first rather than trying to handle the pain on his own. That's why he can call suffering something that is not worth comparing to the coming glory. Unfortunately, this is probably a lesson learned through major suffering. But perhaps we can just learn from Pau's experience and go straight to holding onto the hope.
18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope
21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
22For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
23And 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.
I've always been a little fascinated by this personifcation attributed to the earth because of the impact that sin has upon all of creation. The earth is said to "groan" right along with us. If we look around it certainly seems like "groaning" when we observe earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, massive blizzards, and floods. And when the earth groans, mankind suffers as well. But in that suffering, which Paul declares unworthy of concern when compared to the glory that is coming, there is also hope for we know that we are waiting for something greater. What we wait for is the culmination of what we already possess - our adoption as the sons and daughters of the King.
Along with our adoption as God's children we will see the redemption of our bodies as well. On the glorious day when Jesus returns we will be reunited with our flesh (unless Jesus returns before these bodies die) and all will be redeemed. For an expanded discourse on this topic, see Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 15.
This passage is full of hope and Gospel. Paul does not negate the fact that we are suffering here becaues of our sin. But He almost casts that aside as a mere annoyance. For Him, it is all Good News. I think if someone is truly suffering perhaps these words are a bit hollow. But they are true and worth holding onto when the suffering grows intense. Paul speak specifically about this in his letter to the Philippians.
Philippians 4:12-13
I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
The invitation here is to lean into the Lord Jesus at all times. We increase our own suffering when we try to go it on our own. But we try that first anyway on so many ocassions. I think that Paul suffered through so much in his life that he learned how to press into the Lord first rather than trying to handle the pain on his own. That's why he can call suffering something that is not worth comparing to the coming glory. Unfortunately, this is probably a lesson learned through major suffering. But perhaps we can just learn from Pau's experience and go straight to holding onto the hope.
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