WITH DALE RATZLAFF
We continue our study in Romans 8:18-25.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
Commentary
The word translated, “consider” in verse 18 should not be taken just as Paul’s opinion. Rather it expresses robust assurance with no doubt. Paul speaks of “the sufferings of this present time.” As we read through the book of Acts and Paul’s epistles, we fully understand the extent of his sufferings. The false apostles were troubling the Corinthian church, and Paul felt it necessary to review the trials he had faced for the work of the gospel.
…in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches (2 Cor. 11:23-28).
“Present time” reaches down to our time. Sufferings come from at least three sources: our own poor judgment and dumb mistakes, our sin-laden fallen world, and suffering we experience for standing for Christ and the truth of the gospel. Regardless of the source of their trials, Christians, as well as all mankind, suffer in various ways. Paul’s point is that even extreme suffering such as he experienced is not of equal magnitude when compared to the “Glory that is to be revealed to us”. Our hope for the future with God far outweighs our temporary suffering.
Often we and others are quick to blame God for hard times, accidents, sicknesses, and other life struggles. If we come from a strong legalistic background, we are often tempted to feel guilt for experiencing these events. “What did I do wrong to deserve this?” we ask. God may use these events in our journey as He works all things together for our and His good. Often, if not usually, they are the natural result of living in this sin-laden fallen world.
Recently Carolyn and I were pulling our 5th wheel on highway 17 approaching Flagstaff, Arizona. Suddenly we heard a loud “bang”, and in the rear-view mirror I saw pieces of tire, trailer fender, and a few other parts flying in all directions. The tire had looked almost new, was a top-of-the-line Michelin, had plenty of tread, and was properly inflated. Why did the tire fail? It was five years old. Paul references what we might call the law of entropy. Left to itself, everything tends to decay.
For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.
Paul personifies the whole of the created order. Examples of this “anxious longing” are seen throughout our world. We see deformed, crippled children on television asking for donations to Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital. We witness the hundreds, if not thousands, of young men in the prime of their lives coming back from the battle field missing arms and legs with extreme mental trauma. Yes, the whole creation that was once pronounced “good” now anxiously awaits the revelation when it, with the “sons of God”, are restored to the “glory” God intended.
Paul touches on the origin of evil in this passage of Romans. We may never here in this life fully understand why sin came in, but the curse that sin brought is clearly recorded:
The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you will go, And dust you will eat All the days of your life; And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.” To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth, In pain you will bring forth children; Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he will rule over you.” Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life. “Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you will eat the plants of the field; By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return” (Gen. 3:14-19).
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body (Rom. 8:20–23).
There are several things of interest in Romans 8:20 above. The subjection of creation to “futility” was not willingly done by creation itself. In God’s infinite wisdom He saw that there must be some punishment or natural result of sin, and He subjected creation to futility. Notice also there is a solid hope that creation itself will also be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. This truth underlies all of Scripture: there is hope for the future. This hope was expressed in seed form in the Genesis account just after the curse of God upon sin:
And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel (Gen. 3:15).
As one reads through the Bible, this hope is what strengthens God’s people both in good times and in periods of extreme distress.
By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God (Heb. 11:8-10).
And I will wait for the LORD who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob; I will even look eagerly for Him (Isa. 8:17).
And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him (Lk. 2:25).
Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. (Mk. 15:43).
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:20 ).
…looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, (Tit. 2:13).
Even though we have the “first fruits” of the Spirit and our spirits have been redeemed and we now have eternal life, we are still in our degenerate bodies. As the years go by there is both “groaning” and “eagerly awaiting” the redemption of our body. As I write this I just received word that Bill, my trucking partner for many years, is near death. I recall the many loads of hay we hauled together, the good times, the hard work, the fun, the laughter. I also remember the time the truck caught fire and burned to the ground. I vividly recall the accident scene where a Cadillac hit our truck head-on doing about 70 miles per hour. On another occasion I was present when Bill lit a match too close to the open fuel tank of our truck. It exploited and he was covered with fire. Providentially, it was winter, and I had a large jacket on and was able to quickly choke out the flames. I can still hear his cries of pain as large patches of his face and arms had second degree burns. Bill served as an elder in his church and was a believer in Christ. What a difference it makes to know there is hope for the future beyond present difficulties.
Application
As I read this section of Romans, it helped me realize anew that we should never look only at our current circumstances, especially if we are going through difficult ones, but also look up and away to (1), who we now are “in Christ”. Also (2), we must know and remember well what God has planned for our future. Without an eager and longing hope for the future, we cannot correctly evaluate the present.
Prayer
Father, I thank you that you have a future for your children. It is a future better that we can envision. When I go through hard times, lift my thoughts to the assured hope I have for the future. Lord, be with your people who are sick, suffering, groaning, crying out and asking, “Why Lord?”. May your Spirit fill them with joy and hope for the future glories with You!
In Jesus name.
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