Romans: Sustaining Hope in the Joy of Glorification
In a world that often feels burdened by struggle and uncertainty, Romans 8:12-17 breathes life into the weary soul. As we delve into this passage, we encounter two critical challenges to our faith and understanding. First, Paul's bold assertion in verse 18 confronts our capacity for belief. This claim, seemingly too marvelous to be true, nudges us to question — can we truly embrace such a grand promise with unwavering trust in God's Word? Second, our preconceived notions of Heaven are put under the microscope. Common misconceptions and imaginations about our eternal dwelling are refined and reshaped, aligning more closely with biblical truths. This reorientation is an invitation to anchor our hope firmly in the realities of God's Kingdom.
Paul's intent in this portion of Romans is to instill hope. This hope steers us through the inevitable suffering and brokenness in this life. Acknowledging that following Jesus will bring trials is not meant to discourage but to prepare and fortify us. 17th-century pastor Richard Baxter endured a life marked by physical suffering and decided to dedicate daily time to meditate on the forthcoming glory in Christ. This practice was not an escape from reality but a discipline to reorient his perspective toward eternal hope. Baxter's life serves as a testament to the transformative power of setting our minds on "things above," as Paul exhorts in Colossians 3.
As we study this passage, let us be encouraged by the promise of Romans 8:18. It beckons us to look beyond our present afflictions, to the incomparable glory that will be revealed in us. May our hearts be stirred toward hope, our minds towards Heaven, and our lives towards the unwavering pursuit of the glory set before us.
1. Glory is Coming: Suffering Never Gets the Final Word
In Romans 8:18, Paul tells us of a coming glory, so magnificent and vast, that the sufferings we endure now will pale in comparison. This bold claim challenges every believer to recalibrate our understanding of suffering and its place in our journey of faith. Paul’s claim does more than just offer comfort; it confronts us with the reality of our faith. Can we truly embrace such a promise? The scripture does not ask us to ignore the pain or pretend it does not exist. Instead, it offers a perspective shift, urging us to see our trials through the lens of eternity. Suffering is real, but it will not have the final say.
As we navigate through life, it is impossible to ignore the brokenness that surrounds us. From personal trials to global tragedies, the world is fraught with pain. Yet, Paul reminds us that this present suffering is but a temporary phase on the path to eternal glory. He paints a vivid picture, comparing all the collective suffering of humanity to a mere grain of sand against the mountain of God's forthcoming glory and goodness. The future glory that awaits us is not just a concept to be hoped for; it is a reality to be believed and trusted. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, echoes this sentiment, describing our afflictions as "light and momentary" in the grand scheme of God's eternal plan.
As Christians, we're called not to lose heart in the face of adversity. The trials we face, no matter how heavy and enduring they seem, are preparing us for an incomparable eternity with Christ. This preparation is active, working within us to cultivate a hope that is both resilient and radiant. The coming glory is a promise that fuels our perseverance. It assures us that every tear will be wiped away, every broken heart mended, and every lost dream found in the presence of our Savior. The darkness of this world will only serve to enhance the brilliance of Christ's return, making the joy of that day all the more overwhelming.
2. New Creation is Coming
Paul’s insistence that the "sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us" is not meant to diminish our pain but to recalibrate our perspective. The journey of faith, marked by trials and tribulations, is not the end story. The narrative arc of creation bends towards restoration and glory, where suffering does not get the final word. Building on this foundation of hope, Paul introduces us to a vision: a new creation is on the horizon. He paints a picture of creation itself, personified, waiting with bated breath for the revelation of God's children. Paul reminds us that the entire cosmos is subjected to futility not by its own choice but by the will of the one who subjected it, in the hope that it will be set free from its bondage to corruption.
This liberation is a tangible reality that impacts all of creation. The world around us, marred by natural disasters, disease, and decay, aches for redemption as much as we do. And the promise is clear: when Christ returns, not only will we be transformed, but the entire creation will be renewed. Heaven and earth will merge into a new reality where God's presence penetrates every inch of the cosmos, where death and mourning are no more, and where the scars of sin are healed for eternity.
What does this mean for us? First, it challenges and expands our understanding of heaven. Heaven is not a distant, ethereal realm of endless church services or disembodied existence on clouds. It is the renewal of all things, where the physical and the spiritual are united in perfection under Christ's reign. It is life as it was always meant to be lived, in a world free from sin's corruption, in perfect relationship with our Creator and with each other.
Secondly, it calls us to live in anticipation of this coming reality. Like Richard Baxter, who meditated daily on the glory to come, we are invited to set our minds on things above, not as an escape from the world's pain, but as a way to navigate it with hope and perseverance. The knowledge of what is to come empowers us to endure the trials of today with our eyes fixed on the promise of tomorrow.
3. New Bodies Are Coming
Every one of us knows the limitations and frailties of our physical selves. Our bodies bear the brunt of time, each ache and pain a reminder of our mortality. The experiences of weakness, sickness, and the relentless march towards decay are universal. But Paul paints a future where our physical form is not a source of limitation but a testament to God's redemptive power. Paul expresses that just as creation eagerly awaits liberation from corruption, so too do we long for the redemption of our bodies. This longing is not merely for an escape from physical discomfort or pain. It is a profound desire for a form that is in complete harmony with the eternal life we are promised in Christ.
Our current bodies are marked by their impermanence and susceptibility to sin's effects. Yet, Paul assures us that we groan not for an existence devoid of physicality but for one where our mortal nature is clothed with immortality. This future body is not subject to decay, disease, or death but is perfectly suited for eternal communion with God. The resurrection body of Jesus serves as the prototype of what awaits us. His victory over death and emergence from the tomb in a glorified, physical form is a preview of our destiny. As Christ was raised, so shall we be — transformed and renewed, equipped with bodies that reflect the fullness of life in God's presence.
This promise speaks to a future where every meal, every embrace, and every moment is infused with the richness of God's creation, unmarred by sin and illuminated by His glory. It is a future where we reunite with loved ones in a celebration that never ends. The assurance of new bodies is not just a distant hope but a catalyst for how we live today. It challenges us to view our present struggles through the lens of eternal promise, to endure suffering with the knowledge that it is transient, and to cherish our bodies not as sources of shame or frustration but as future participants in divine glory.
4. Wait With Patience and Hope
Hope is not a whimsical desire or a blind optimism. It is an anchor, firmly cast in the promises of God. This hope is predicated on the audacious truths of glory imminent, creation renewed, and bodies resurrected. But this hope demands patience — a virtue not of passive waiting but of active endurance. It is a patience that recognizes the true nature of suffering when measured against the eternal weight of glory to come. Paul's call to wait with patience is not an invitation to idle anticipation but a charge to engage deeply with the now.
Paul does not envision this journey of hope and patience as a solitary trek. It is communal in the company of fellow believers, the church. In moments when despair threatens to overshadow hope, when the pain of the present blurs the promise of the future, it is the community that acts as the hands and feet of Jesus, embodying the hope we all share. This collective journey emphasizes the necessity of bearing one another's burdens, of lifting each other in prayer, of reminding one another of the steadfast promise of God's future redemption.
Our hope is not an abstract concept but a concrete assurance rooted in the historical reality of Christ's resurrection. It is the guarantee of our future inheritance, the preview of our participation in the new creation, and the assurance of our resurrection bodies. As we navigate the complexities of life, may we do so with our hearts anchored in the hope of the Gospel, with our spirits marked by patience, and within the embrace of the community of faith. Let us live not as those who have no hope but as those who are profoundly shaped by the certainty of God's promises, eagerly awaiting the day when our faith becomes sight, and our temporary sufferings are swallowed up in victory.