GOD GIVES US A FUTURE · 2020-06-03 · (3) Romans 8:18-30 (The Message) That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times.

GOD GIVES US A FUTURE

A Study of Romans Chapter 8

WEEK THREE: Future Glory

7th June 2020

Rev John Barr

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Introduction

Week Three of our reflection on Romans 8 moves us to a text focussing on “future glory”.

While acknowledging the difficulties of this life, Paul opens our eyes to a magnificent future to which we are all destined as a people of God. This is no better stated than in verses 28 and 29 as Paul writes:

“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 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.”

As we begin to return to some kind of normality after the COVID-19 pandemic Paul reminds us that the going is not always easy. But we can be confident that God has a future for each and everyone of us.

This is Good News. It is indeed Great News!

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Romans 8:18-30 (New Revised Standard Version)

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 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. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; 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. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 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. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

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Romans 8:18-30 (The Message)

That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens. All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.

(4) Comment We left last week’s reflection with a great sense of hope. In this next section Paul gives us a touch of realism as the Christian community is certainly not exempt from suffering.

But nothing can quell or outweigh the glory (magnificence and joy) that is our heritage as God’s people. This is a promise that includes the entire creation. While humankind has managed to spoil God’s handiwork and set it into an endless cycle of bondages and decay, God will restore the whole creation to its former glory.

Paul stresses his point here with a reference to “groaning”. The creation “groans” under the weight of it all. The creation is truly burdened and weighed down. But there will be delivery. There will be relief and restoration.

And it is not only the creation that is struggling. Paul says the people “groan” as they await God’s deliverance.

Here it’s important to note that God doesn’t abandon God’s people as they undergo this trial. The Spirit of God is with them. The Spirit of God is the great intercessor assuring people that, in their struggles, God is not absent. Rather God is open to hearing people’s cries. In doing so, God is intent on affirming God’s promise will be fulfilled.

Verse 28 assures us of this. Just as God was faithful to God’s chosen people in the past, so God will be faithful to God’s people now. Just as God’s love was declared in the death and resurrection of Jesus, now God’s people can be assured of their future.

Paul then speaks about predestination. This is another way of declaring God has the future in hand. The destiny of God’s people is firmly set. This destiny is the complete transformation of the creation!

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Reflection

This is just an amazing chapter. Amidst the trials and tribulations of life there is real hope here. Paul presents his case with great power and vision.

Our future glory far outweighs any present suffering – what a promise!

Moreover, the transformation that is to take place involves the entire creation. Here Paul indicates God will fully deal with the debacle that started in Genesis when humankind defied God and went its own way.

This is by no means a trivial or “quick-fix” matter. Paul makes this point in his reference to the pangs of childbirth. As a mother cries out, yearning for the delivery of her child, so creation longs to be transformed from its present condition. We are all aware giving birth can be a protracted, painful experience. But it’s all not in vain. The process leads to immense joy!

Paul also draws us into a wonderful understanding of the Holy Spirit as an intercessor. Here the Spirit speaks on our behalf when we do not have the words to pray. Bishop John Taylor refers to this in terms of the “Go-Between God”. Here the Holy Spirit of God is a great communicator. The Spirit dwells within our hearts, drawing us together. The Spirit connects us to God and advocates on our behalf to God.

Paul then ventures into the matter of predestination. Not to be confused with some kind of limitation placed upon us by God and not to be associated with the idea that God makes arbitrary decisions, predestination (according to Paul) means God has already fixed our destinies and the destiny of the entire creation. And this is one of transformation and renewal.

Here our destiny is no longer in our hands. Rather, it’s in the hands of a loving God who wills nothing but the best for each and every one of us.

What do you make of this incredible text? Do you gain a sense of hope here? Why? What do you think the text “all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” is saying to you?

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Prayer Godoftheseasons,Godoftheyears,Godoftheeons,AlphaandOmega,beforeusandafterus.Youpromiseandwewait:wewaitwitheagerlonging,wewaitamiddoubtandanxiety,wewaitwithpatiencethinandthendoubt,andthenwetakelifeintoourownhands.Wewaitbecauseyouaretheoneandtheonlyone.Wewaitforyourpeaceandyourmercy,foryourjusticeandyourgoodrule.Giveusyourspiritthatwemaywaitobedientlyandwithdiscernment,caringlyandwithoutpassivity,trustinglyandwithoutcynicismhonestlyandwithoututopianism,Grantthatourwaitmaybeappropriatetoyourcomingsoonandverysoon,soonandnotlate,latebutnottoolate.Wewaitwhiletheworldgroansineagerlonging. (written by Walter Brueggemann, in Prayers for a Privileged People.)