“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not have, we wait for it patiently.” (Romans 8:24-25)
Romans 8 is considered by many believers to be the greatest chapter of the Bible. It is the crescendo of all of God’s efforts to save humanity, ending with the conclusion that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.
But Paul is careful to explain in verses 18-25 that, as wonderful as God’s present blessings to us are, they are only a foretaste of what is to come. Paul describes our present situation as that of living in hope. We have fulfillment of God’s promises without consummation. God has begun a good work in us, but has yet to perfect it. We are saved, to be sure. But it’s also true that much of our salvation has yet to be implemented. And it is this lack of perfection and consummation that is a constant source of tension for us.
In the previous chapter Paul described the tension of having a born-again inner man trapped inside a sin-corrupted outer man. There will be tension and conflict anytime good and evil are forced to dwell together. And here Paul portrays believers as inwardly groaning from this ceaseless conflict as we yearn for the redemption of our bodies – the resurrection. When this happens, our incorruptible spirits will be joined to incorruptible bodies that are completely immune to sin, temptation, sickness, disease, weariness, and death. In fact, all of creation yearns for this “revealing of the sons of God.” For creation itself lies under God’s curse and bondage to decay. Creation knows that once God’s people are “revealed” (i.e. resurrected) its own resurrection is not far behind. For we look forward to a new heaven and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1). Paul assures us that the glory which awaits – our own glorification and the glory of God that we’ll behold – infinitely outweighs all the suffering of this life.
Therefore, we must endure the tension and conflict. For “we suffer with Him in order that we may be glorified with Him” (Romans 8:17). Patiently endure this period of humiliation, as Jesus endured His, but was afterward glorified (Philippians 2:5-11). Presently the true sons of God appear as contemptible to this world. Our true heavenly nature will be revealed before all creation at the resurrection.
REFLECTION
- Read Matthew 6:19-21; Colossians 3:1-4. Where should we focus our attention?
- Read Hebrews 12:2-3. On whom should we fix our eyes?
- Let’s run this race with our eyes on Jesus and our hopes on heaven.
