Daily Bread Romans 8
Daily Bread Romans 8
The Future Glory
18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. 24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)
Observation: Many feel (and I would agree) that Romans 8 is one of the most inspirational chapters in the whole bible. There are so many wonderful truths expressed that is it hard to winnow it down to one or two paragraphs to highlight. For instance, quickly read Romans 8:1, 8:18, 8:28 and 8:38 and you will see what I mean.
Other translations start this chapter with another “Therefore”, thus signaling Paul will be making some strong conclusions about what has already been written. He will do this again in Romans 12 another epic chapter. As Paul discusses the power of the sinful nature and how we still have to deal with this even once we become Christians, he promises us that these momentary sufferings will not even be worthy to be compared to the joy that will be revealed to us when Jesus’ glory returns.
Paul even personifies Creation (God and all his angels and all the beauty of the earth) to say it too longs for the children of God to be revealed. Someone has said our world is cracked. Even our weather systems are subject to storms, hurricanes, tornadoes etc. Not only have we humans fallen, but everything on this planet is subject to decay and will one day be redeemed.
Importantly, time and time again, Paul underscores the power of the Holy Spirit, which comes to reside in our bodies as we accept Christ as our Savior. The Holy Spirit helps us to pray and also is a deposit/guarantee of our future inheritance as sons and daughters of God. The Holy Spirit helps us when we are suffering to remember that this world is not our home. We also see that it is only through the Holy Spirit, and as we are controlled by that same Spirit that we can lead a life of freedom to do what God calls us to do. And finally, on that last day, the Holy Spirit will raise us up from the grave to meet our God and our Savior Jesus on the day the Lord calls us home. Until that time/hour we are to live by the Spirit and trust that no matter what happens to us it all works to the glory of God who can work all things together for good.
Application:
Are you allowing the Spirit to run your life? Or are you still in control? When you pray, do you invite the Spirit to help you to pray what God would want you to pray? When you read the bible do you ask the Spirit to help you apply what you are reading to your life?
If you are suffering now, realize that this temporary trial is not worthy to be compared to the life you will have in heaven. Don’t let your suffering discourage you, or cause you to lose faith. The devil would love for you to throw in the towel and give up on God’s grace and promises. Remember all of our trials prepare us to be more like Jesus and more ready to become the people who are ready to meet the Lord when he returns.
Prayer: Come Holy Spirit into our lives and help us to live by your power not our own strength. Guide us in our prayer. Help us to stay patient in enduring hardship as a good soldier in Christ. Help us to see what you are doing in our lives to prepare us for heaven. You are an awesome God who always keeps His promises (FEAR NOT!!) In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
The Future Glory
18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. 24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)
Observation: Many feel (and I would agree) that Romans 8 is one of the most inspirational chapters in the whole bible. There are so many wonderful truths expressed that is it hard to winnow it down to one or two paragraphs to highlight. For instance, quickly read Romans 8:1, 8:18, 8:28 and 8:38 and you will see what I mean.
Other translations start this chapter with another “Therefore”, thus signaling Paul will be making some strong conclusions about what has already been written. He will do this again in Romans 12 another epic chapter. As Paul discusses the power of the sinful nature and how we still have to deal with this even once we become Christians, he promises us that these momentary sufferings will not even be worthy to be compared to the joy that will be revealed to us when Jesus’ glory returns.
Paul even personifies Creation (God and all his angels and all the beauty of the earth) to say it too longs for the children of God to be revealed. Someone has said our world is cracked. Even our weather systems are subject to storms, hurricanes, tornadoes etc. Not only have we humans fallen, but everything on this planet is subject to decay and will one day be redeemed.
Importantly, time and time again, Paul underscores the power of the Holy Spirit, which comes to reside in our bodies as we accept Christ as our Savior. The Holy Spirit helps us to pray and also is a deposit/guarantee of our future inheritance as sons and daughters of God. The Holy Spirit helps us when we are suffering to remember that this world is not our home. We also see that it is only through the Holy Spirit, and as we are controlled by that same Spirit that we can lead a life of freedom to do what God calls us to do. And finally, on that last day, the Holy Spirit will raise us up from the grave to meet our God and our Savior Jesus on the day the Lord calls us home. Until that time/hour we are to live by the Spirit and trust that no matter what happens to us it all works to the glory of God who can work all things together for good.
Application:
Are you allowing the Spirit to run your life? Or are you still in control? When you pray, do you invite the Spirit to help you to pray what God would want you to pray? When you read the bible do you ask the Spirit to help you apply what you are reading to your life?
If you are suffering now, realize that this temporary trial is not worthy to be compared to the life you will have in heaven. Don’t let your suffering discourage you, or cause you to lose faith. The devil would love for you to throw in the towel and give up on God’s grace and promises. Remember all of our trials prepare us to be more like Jesus and more ready to become the people who are ready to meet the Lord when he returns.
Prayer: Come Holy Spirit into our lives and help us to live by your power not our own strength. Guide us in our prayer. Help us to stay patient in enduring hardship as a good soldier in Christ. Help us to see what you are doing in our lives to prepare us for heaven. You are an awesome God who always keeps His promises (FEAR NOT!!) In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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