A Bright and Glorious Future

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 8:18-30

 

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.

(ESV)

 

Looking at the current state of affairs in the world, it is easy for one to become depressed, leading to despair and a loss of hope. These conditions were present in Rome at the time of the writing of Romans and perhaps why Paul wrote Romans 8:18-30 to provide hope for believers in Rome. Like those in Rome, Paul is addressing, we must take time to pause and reflect on the bright and glorious future in store for those choosing to believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior.

 

Romans 8:18-30 is teaching that provides encouragement and empowerment to endure suffering for one’s faith. Paul is qualified to provide this teaching due to his history of suffering for his faith (2 Corinthians 6:3-10). In this passage Paul provides,

 

1)      Encouragement (Romans 8:18-25) – The thesis statement of encouragement (Romans 8:18) is a reminder of the temporary nature of suffering in this world compared to the eternal glory of eternity with Christ in heaven Christians have in their future. Not only do God’s people suffer in this corrupt world, but creation itself suffers, experiencing birth pains as it awaits the manifestation of the glory of God (Romans 8:19-22). Believers also suffer with creation in anticipation of the glory we will have when we live in eternity with Christ (Romans 8:23-25).

2)      Empowerment (Romans 8:26-30) – When Jesus left to be with his father he instructed his followers to wait in Jerusalem until they received the empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4,8). While we are unable to see the future, Jesus knew his followers would have persecution and would need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. In Romans 8:26, Paul reminds the believers in Rome that they need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to help them in their weaknesses and in how to pray. The Holy Spirit knows the mind of God and intercedes for believers based upon the will of God, making it possible for all surrendering to the will of God to have all things work together for their good (Romans 8:27-28). In Romans 8:29-30 Paul mentions the idea of predestination, a hotly debated topic in theology, The Calvinistic view is that predestination is God having selected a select few predestined to live with Him in eternity. However, this interpretation goes against what Jesus said in John 3:16 which says God loves the entire world and that anyone choosing to believe in Him, inherits eternal life. Therefore, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to endure hardships is available to all choosing to believe in Jesus as their Savior.

 

The world of Paul’s time was a world under Roman occupation. Paul was familiar with the oppressive nature of Roman occupation from his time in prison for his faith (Acts 12:4; 16:23). Going to prison for his faith is not surprising for Paul and knew he faced prison wherever he went (Acts 20:23). Paul’s statement in Romans 8:18 comparing the hardships of temporary suffering for Christ with the eternal glory all believers can look forward to is likely how he endured the hardship of imprisonment. Paul also had the power of the Holy Spirit in his life to empower him through the weaknesses of his flesh caused by the hardships he suffered for his faith (2 Corinthians 6:3-10).

 

In countries like the United States where there is religious freedom, most believers in Christ can freely attend Church services and practice their faith. However, the shutting down of Churches due to Covid illustrates how suddenly this freedom to freely assemble could disappear. Therefore Christians must be diligent and vote for candidates having Christian values and who support the freedom of religion to avoid hard persecution. However, soft persecution or rejection by friends or family because one’s faith in Jesus as Savior does occur in religiously free countries and can be emotionally devastating. Avoiding the devastation of either hard or soft persecution requires the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in one’s life and a focus on the eternal glory all believers in Christ look forward to (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Receiving this encouragement and empowerment in one's life requires one to make a public profession of faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for their sins. If you are reading this and have never made this profession of faith, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.