More Hope for Our Time ~ Reflections on Romans 8:18-30
18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in[o] hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes[p] for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes[q] with sighs too deep for words. 27 And God,[r] who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit[s] intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.[t]
28 We know that all things work together for good[u] for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family.[v] 30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Romans 8:18-30
Recently I found myself reading and reflecting on the eighth chapter of the book of Romans. This chapter probably ranks in my top twenty chapters in all of scripture. From start to finish it gives me some reasons for hopeful thoughts.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in[o] hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes[p] for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
In seminary, I once heard that the time in which we are living as “the already and the not yet.”
We are blessed to live as God’s children –and there are moments where those blessings are evident and overwhelming. And yet, there are also moments, sometimes recurring moments, where we groan in pain (physical, spiritual, and mental) longing for the fulness of God’s kingdom to wash over us.
We live as God’s people in a time that is far from perfect. And we hope …..
We trust that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.
That’s how we can patiently wait for the days when we are transformed into more loving and Christlike people who are wonderfully surrounded by other more loving and Christlike people.
Prayer
God, as I live in this in-between time, help me to appreciate and celebrate the moments when Your kingdom breaks into my life and the world around me. And help me to faithfully follow Jesus so that others may sense the kingdom in their midst through my presence. Amen.