30 April 2020
Romans 8:18-25
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And 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. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Romans is one of my favorite books in the Bible. Recently my Bible reading plan allowed me to spend some time in this book, and I was delighted to spend several days reading and reflecting on some of the most encouraging chapters. One morning the assigned text was Romans 8, and so I slowly read and meditated upon a couple of the magnificent truths that are contained in that chapter. As I was reading, I was really struck by Romans 8:18: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
This verse stood out to me for obvious reasons. The entire world right now is undergoing a time of great suffering. All of us have been touched by it in some form. Normal routines have come to a standstill, plans have been disrupted, and children have experienced the loss of education and extra-curricular opportunities. Some of us have experienced the physical suffering of sickness and death, and others have suffered the loss of a job and financial hardship. Family and friends around the world are experiencing lockdown measures and stay-at-home orders. These not only affect families and businesses but also those with great emotional and social needs who are now isolated because of social distancing requirements. I think specifically of the elderly who are alone in nursing homes and other care facilities and are unable to receive visits from family and friends. Loneliness, depression, and anxiety are being experienced by millions of the most vulnerable and needy people in the world. These are just some of the many ways people throughout the world are suffering right now every day.
The Bible doesn’t deny suffering nor downplay its reality. In Romans 8 Paul acknowledges its existence directly. The Biblical authors frequently deal honestly with the reality of suffering and the questions that arise from it. Our recent sermon series in Habakkuk is one example, as are the stories of Job and many of the Psalms as well. Yet suffering is never the last word for the Christian. It is only temporary, and as hard as it is to experience and witness, the Bible tells us that something more beautiful and glorious awaits us.
Romans 8:18 says us that our present sufferings cannot compare with the glory that will be revealed to us. Paul often compares this world with the next, something broken with something perfect, something inferior with something superior. In Romans 8:19-25 Paul elaborates on this theme. Not only do we suffer in this world, but the entire creation itself suffers as well. In Genesis 3 we learn that, because of man’s sin, the whole world is under a curse, and now the entire created order experiences brokenness. We’ve all read news reports that demonstrate this truth: not only are people infected by the coronavirus, but pets and various animals have contracted it as well. Suffering has affected all of God’s creation, and the created order clearly doesn’t function as God originally intended it. The apostle Paul writes that creation is groaning in birth pains to be made new. One day, this broken world will give birth to one that is new. God will make a new heavens and new earth – one that is free from viruses, suffering, and death. Creation will no longer groan. It will be set free from its brokenness and function as God intended it.
Paul also says that our personal suffering causes us to groan. Like the created order, we too are groaning to be set free. We long for something better. Paul says that we groan inwardly as we await the adoption as sons and the redemption of our bodies. We have been adopted already, but that adoption process has not yet been fully completed. As those who have adopted children understand, the process is quite long and many steps must occur before it is officially completed. As God’s children now, we have the Spirit as a pledge, and we experience many of the benefits and joys of being children of God. Yet the suffering we experience testifies that our adoption is not yet fully complete. We see John write about this in 1 John 3v2: “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” We wait for a glorified body like Christ’s, one that is not subject to coronavirus or cancer, one that is kept safe from the corruption and infection of sin. How wonderful to think that we will no longer suffer from sickness and sin!
Romans teaches us that the Christian life is characterized by the following pattern: suffering then glory. Now we experience trials of many kinds, and we eagerly groan for the time when we will experience glory. Our bodies will be instantly transformed into a glorious body like Christ’s; the creation also will be transformed and made completely new; and most importantly we will experience the glory of God. We will be God’s glorified people in God’s glorified place with God himself. In this we hope! We don’t see these realities now, but knowing that they are true and on the way gives us the ability to experience our current sufferings as light and momentary. So take Paul’s teaching to heart: “I am convinced that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us.” Suffering, then glory. Now is difficult, but what awaits us is something so beautiful, so amazing, and so transcendent that our hardships here become less burdensome when viewed through the lens of future glory. Memorize this verse and try to think about it throughout of the day (especially when you experience moments of “groaning”), and let hope fill your heart as you orient yourself to the glorious inheritance that awaits you.
Adam McCulloch
