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The Best is Yet to Come
Romans 8:18-27 (Pastor Heo)
Present Suffering and Future Glory
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
This is the chapter of Freedom in Christ
- 1. Freedom from judgment (Assurance of Salvation)
- 2. Freedom from defeat (no obligation to the sinful nature) – last week
- 3. Freedom from disappointment / discouragement (no frustration) – today
v. 18 “18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Do you like suffering? We should like suffering and also NOT like suffering. (It is well, with my soul)
Ex: When you drive, if you have no skill, you may suffer. Also, if we do some things – without the necessary skills, ideas, information – we may suffer.
There are many sufferings in this world – but ALL can be typified in only two categories:
- GOOD suffering (for Christ)
- BAD suffering (against God)
v. 18 “18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
These sufferings are not due to our carelessness, sins, mistakes, etc. In this sentence, “our present sufferings” = those sufferings because of Christ.
v. 18 (alt) “18 I consider that our present sufferings (for Christ) are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (in Christ).”
We are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ – in all areas – in duties, privileges, responsibilities, and even sufferings. (this is the previous verse – v. 17)
v. 17 “17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
Imagine: If someone paid $1,000,000(,000) for your house bill, would you find it difficult to pay $1 for his ice cream? This should not be difficult.
v. 18 means = Our service, sacrifice for Christ is less than $1 compared with the $1 bil sacrifice that Jesus paid for us. (and vice versa)
- Present suffering = temporary
- Future glory = eternal
If we open our spiritual eyes, we can see and know that the present glory that Abraham/Paul is now enjoying with Christ in heaven is non-comparable with the previous sufferings he received on earth for Christ.
How about us?
Yes, a day will come (soon) when the next generation will witness about us – “My grand/parents now enjoy such glory in heaven with Christ that cannot be compared with the sufferings they once paid in the past” (now)
Keyword: Groan (x3)
Literal meaning = “long and deep sound due to pain, suffering, trouble, disappointment, discouragement”
Usually, actually, this word is used negatively. BUT in this section, this word is used positively. It is not useless, but useful. Not meaningless, hopeless, but meaningful, hopeful groaning. This is a very positive meaning.
To understand this inward, eager, positive groaning, we most open our spiritual eyes and ears. If we open these, it is not difficult to understand. But if our spiritual eyes and ears are closed, this looks a little strange. Let’s open our spiritual eyes and ears now.
#3 Groans
1. Groaning of Creation (inwardly)
v. 19-22 “19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation *has been groaning* as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” (현재 완료 진행)
This is not meaningless, hopeless groaning. This is like the pain of childbirth.
When God finished Creation in Genesis 1, at first, the Creation was “good.” (7x the same sentence “it was good” – finally “it was VERY good”) – Because God is good all the time, everything God created and does was, is, will be always and forever GOOD.
Because of the fall of Adam, this “good” Creation became “groaning” Creation – from “blessed” to “cursed” (Genesis 3).
Yes, Creation could not / did not sin – but because of human sin, the land of Creation was cursed and became a “groaning” Creation. Also today, we must pray “heal this land.” –
- If this land is full of children of God, this land will be blessed.
- But, if this land is filled with evil men, this land will be cursed and filled with “groaning.”
When we go out to a picnic (even Niagara Falls) – we may say, “Wow! Beautiful!” – but this is only outwardly. Inwardly, Creation is groaning. We must be able to see this if we are spiritual men.
Even today – Nature is angry with man through Fires, Droughts, Famine, massive Hurricanes, etc. This is surely not what Creation was meant to be. This is an outward expression of inward groaning.
But this groaning is still not hopeless, meaningless. It is hopeful and meaningful – as the pains of childbirth.
Mothers, did you have the experience to deliver your child? I respect and honor you. Yes, in this delivery, there is so much pain. But this pain will FINISH when the child is born.
Like this, a day will come when this groaning Creation will be exchanged for glorious freedom in Christ. When this earth becomes full of the children of God.
v. 21 “21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.”
This sentence will be fulfilled in Revelation – when Jesus returns. Even Nature is earnestly looking forward to the return of Christ.
Rev “The first heaven and earth have passed away and the New heaven and earth have come.”
- First groaning: All Creation
2. Groaning of Believers’ spirits
Are you groaning? For what?
In the spirits of non-believers, there is not this inward groaning.
v. 23-25 “23 Not only so, but we ourselves, *who have the firstfruits of the Spirit*, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
If we are really Children of God, our spirits inwardly groan. The reason – we have the experience of the firstfruits of the Holy Spirit (v. 23)
What does this mean? It’s a foretaste (시식) of the future glory to come.
Ex: If you go shopping (Mall of Hyoja) – there are many “tasting” corners. There are many things to taste. If that foretaste is very delicious, a satisfying foretaste is not enough, but makes you GROAN for more (고구마). My experience yesterday.
Pleasant talking on the phone (Skype) with your son/daughter from America – makes you GROAN to talk to him/her face to face soon.
These are all foretastes.
The first miracle of the Lord Jesus is turning water into wine. This first miracle gives us a meaningful and practical message. The person who had tasted that water (became wine) said, “Wow! All men bring out the best wine first and cheap wine later! But you have saved the best wine until now!”
This means Christian life is “better” than before – because we are living with Christ our Saviour.
- Our today is better than yesterday.
- Our tomorrow is better than today.
- Next year is better than this year.
Why? Because our lives – as Christians – are holy pilgrimages – getting nearer and nearer to the BEST. Because “The Best is Yet to Come!”
But at the same time, the earthly life without Jesus is the opposite. A journey, nearer and nearer to the WORST destination – hell. That is why we must preach the gospel.
v. 23 “23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.”
But wait, this looks a little strange. We know (from last week) that we have already received the spirit of adoption / sonship. We are ALREADY adopted. So then why does THIS verse say, “We wait eagerly for the redemption of our bodies.”
We must remember there are 3 times in our adoption.
1. PAST – In the counsel of God
this was the action of God in eternity PAST – before the Creation of the world (Eph 1:4-5 “God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy, blameless, and set apart. He chose us to be adopted as sons and daughters in Christ…”)
2. PRESENT – Personal experience
at the time of receiving Christ as Savior (John 1:12 “To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, God gave the right to become children of God.”) – so at the moment we accept Christ, we are adopted
3. FUTURE – full realization / consummation of this adoption (Redemption of the body)
v. 23 “23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, *the redemption of our bodies.*”
Yes, even though we are saved, our physical bodies are not perfect. But when Christ comes again, our bodies will be changed into perfect, heavenly bodies. This is the redemption of our bodies.
This eager anticipation is like a person who drives all night and looks forward to the morning when all the darkness, mist, and fog will be driven away.
Like this, we eagerly await our new bodies. (I have hope for my new body – eagerly.) Also, we look forward to the New Heaven and Earth – to rest and reward for our service, – to eternal family and home – to the absence of sin and suffering – to being with Jesus Christ face-to-face
“Look forward to eagerly” (학수 고대하다)
- First, All Creation groans
- Second, Believers’ spirits groan
3. The Holy Spirit groans
v. 26-27 “26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”
v. 26 “the Holy Spirit himself intercedes for us through groans that words cannot express.”
Our weaknesses may sometimes be emotional, physical, spiritual. The HS intercedes for us and fills the burdens of our weaknesses.
- Actually, no one can call Jesus “Lord” except by the ministry of the HS.
- “The HS testifies with our spirits that we are children of God.”
- And we call God “Abba, Father” through his ministry.
Prayer in the Christian life is “breath”
- To pray according to the will of God is much more important.
Most of us know what we like, what we want. But many of us don’t know what we NEED. (Consider kids at the mart.)
We do not know exactly what we NEED. So we often do not know what we must pray for. So the HS helps us to intercede for us and pray for the will of God in our lives.
The will of God is SO important in our lives. (Let’s continue with this next time.)
Let’s pray.
