THE BLESSINGS OF SONSHIP
READ ROMANS 8:18-27
The overarching context of the last half of Romans 8 (verses 18-39) are the blessings that are the result of our justification. Specifically, they are the blessings that flow from being a son of God by the Spirit of adoption. An underlying theme in chapter eight is persecution. (See 8:18, 35-36.) Also, in the last half of the chapter, the Apostle seeks to encourage his readers. Not only were they no longer under any condemnation, but even the persecution they were facing was also for their good in the long run. Moreover, God has chosen them (and us) and foreordained us to be conformed to the image of His Son.
vs. 18 "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Paul refers to “the sufferings of this present time.” The word translated as "reckon" is the same translated as ‘impute’ in chapter four and has the sense to ‘think.’ The sufferings referred to likely were the persecutions and opposition the young church at Rome faced. Nero was Emperor and from time to time he vented his wrath against the early church. Those sufferings, however, by contrast, are in comparison “not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” The glory so-referred to undoubtedly is our glorification together with Christ, mentioned in verse 17. The day is coming when our old natural bodies will be glorified like unto Jesus’ body at His resurrection. It is part of the first resurrection. The church then was facing persecution and bodily harm for their faith in Christ. Paul, therefore, calls to their attention that as sons of God, they too will be glorified even as Jesus was. Their present sufferings in light of that glory, by comparison, will seem like nothing. Then, it will not seem worthy to be compared.
vs. 19 "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God." The apostle digresses into a secondary thought. The very physical creation yearns for the day when that glorification and manifestation of God’s sons takes place. With the entrance of sin in the garden of Eden, not only did man ‘fall’ and was cursed, all of creation came under the curse of sin. God placed a curse upon the ground and including the plant life on the earth. If the animal kingdom was not afflicted by carnivores after the events in Eden, it certainly became so after the flood. The entire creation has been negatively impacted by sin and its results. Moreover, the sin which produced the flood brought about catastrophic changes to the earth’s environment which were harsh in nature in distinction to physical conditions prior to the flood. On top of all of that is the pollution, corruption, and plundering of the planet which has taken place under the hand of sinful man. The word translated as "creature" essentially has the sense of ‘creation.’ The word translated as "earnest expectation" has the idea of an ‘anxious or persistent expectation.’ It has the essence of hope. In other words, the very creation is looking forward to, or longing for, the time when God’s sons will be manifested. The very creation is awaiting the time when we, as God’s sons, receive our glorified bodies. In that day, the curse of sin will be lifted.
No matter what comes your way, never forget that standing as a Christian isn't worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. The glory of the future far outweighs any difficulty you might experience currently on this earth. God will make all things new!
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. List some of the blessings you experience because of your salvation. How do these blessings influence your daily life?
2. To what extent have you suffered as a Christian? How long (in relation to time) might one suffer?
3. Will the glory of future things outweigh your suffering? How long (in relation to time) will you enjoy the blessings of Heavenly glory?
4. Do you long for the day when every influence of sin is removed? When will that day come?