The Glory to Come

The Glory to Come

Romans 8:18–27 kjv

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. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

The Glory to Come

Introduction:

Church Imagine a young artist, tirelessly working on a masterpiece. Day after day, he sketches, paints, and corrects, often feeling overwhelmed by the imperfections and challenges that arise. At times, he is tempted to give up, as the vision he holds in his mind seems so far from the reality on the canvas before hI’m. But he presses on, driven by a deep-seated hope and a vision of the finished work.

Church In a similar way, our lives can often feel like a series of unfinished sketches, marked by trials and setbacks. We might feel discouraged by the gaps between our current reality and the glory we aspire to. Yet, like the artist, we are invited to trust in the process and the promise of a magnificent completion.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, offers us this assurance: “In Romans 8:18-30 Just as the artist envisions the masterpiece before the final brushstroke, we are called to look beyond our present struggles to the future glory that God is shaping in us.

This glory is not merely a distant hope but a transformative reality that begins now. Our faith, perseverance, and daily acts of love and obedience are the brushstrokes that contribute to the divine masterpiece. And while we may not always see the full picture in this life, we can trust that God, the master artist, is at work, creating something beautiful and glorious.

So let’s dig into this passage together, seeking to understand the depths of God's love and the incredible future He has prepared for us. As we do, may we find strength and encouragement to face whatever comes our way, knowing that we are not alone. The Holy Spirit is with us, guiding us, interceding for us, and ensuring that God's good purposes will ultimately prevail.

I. Present Suffering and Future Glory

Comparison of Suffering and Glory

Paul begins by offering a perspective that can transform how we endure suffering:

v18 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 acknowledges that suffering is a part of our present reality. However, he urges us to view our hardships in light of the future glory promised to believers. This glory is so magnificent that our current pains, no matter how intense, will pale in comparison.

This is not a minimization of our suffering but an amplification of the hope we have in Christ. Paul’s confidence stems from his understanding of God's promises and his personal experiences of God's faithfulness. The future glory he speaks of is not a vague concept but a definite reality rooted in God's plan of redemption and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This promise gives us a foundation to endure, knowing that what lies ahead far surpasses our present trials.

Creation’s Anticipation

Next, Paul shifts the focus to creation itself, highlighting that the redemption we await is part of a broader cosmic renewal:

v19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. This personification of creation conveys a deep sense of anticipation and yearning. The whole creation is on tiptoe, eagerly looking forward to the day when God's children will be revealed in their full glory.

Paul explains why creation is in such a state of anticipation:

v20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

Due to Adam’s sin, creation was cursed and subjected to decay and futility. Yet, this subjection was not without purpose. It was done in hope, a hope that looks forward to the ultimate redemption and restoration of all things.

Creation’s Liberation

Paul continues this theme of cosmic redemption:

v21 That the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

Just as believers await their full redemption, creation itself longs to be liberated from its current state of decay. This liberation is tied to the glorification of God’s children. When we are fully redeemed, creation will also be restored to its intended state of glory and freedom.

Believers’ Groaning and Hope

Paul then brings the focus back to believers, highlighting that we too share in this groaning for redemption:

v23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. The "firstfruits of the Spirit" refers to the initial work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, guaranteeing our future inheritance. Despite having the Spirit, we still experience the tension of living in a fallen world and long for the complete redemption of our bodies.

This longing is anchored in hope:

v24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? The essence of Christian hope lies in its focus on the unseen future promises of God. Our salvation includes this hope, a confident expectation of what God will do in the future. It is not wishful thinking but a sure and steadfast anchor for our souls.

Paul concludes this section by encouraging us to wait patiently:

v25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. This patience is not passive resignation but an active, trust-filled endurance. As we face present sufferings, we do so with the assurance that God’s promises are true and will come to fruition. Our current hardships, seen in this light, become bearable, knowing that a glorious future awaits us.

In these verses, Paul masterfully intertwines the themes of present suffering and future glory, creation’s anticipation, and believers' hope. He provides a comprehensive framework for understanding our trials in light of God’s redemptive plan, encouraging us to persevere with a hopeful and patient heart.

II. Spirit’s Support in Our Weakness

Intercession of the Spirit

In the midst of our sufferings and our longing for future glory, Paul introduces a vital aspect of the Christian life: the Holy Spirit’s support in our weakness. This support is not merely passive but an active intercession that aids us in our most vulnerable moments.

Help in Weakness

Paul begins by acknowledging our inherent weaknesses:

v26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Here, Paul speaks directly to a common experience among believers—the struggle to articulate our needs and desires in prayer, especially during times of intense suffering and confusion.

Our weaknesses are multifaceted, encompassing our limited understanding, our inability to perceive God’s will fully, and our susceptibility to despair and discouragement. In these moments of vulnerability, the Holy Spirit steps in to assist us. The term "helps" conveys a sense of coming alongside to bear a burden, indicating that the Spirit is actively involved in supporting us, not merely observing from a distance.

The Spirit’s intercession is characterized by "groanings too deep for words." This phrase captures the profound and mysterious nature of the Spirit’s prayers on our behalf. These groanings are not articulate words but deep, inexpressible expressions of our needs and God’s purposes, reflecting a level of communication that transcends human language. The Holy Spirit, dwelling within us, translates our deepest longings and struggles into prayers that align with God’s will, ensuring that our prayers are heard and answered according to His perfect plan.

Divine Intercession

Paul continues to explain the nature of this divine intercession:

v27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. This verse underscores the intimate connection between God the Father and the Holy Spirit. The Father, who searches our hearts, is fully aware of the Spirit’s intentions and intercessions.

The Spirit’s intercession is not random or disconnected from God’s purposes. Instead, it is perfectly aligned with God’s will. This alignment guarantees that the Spirit’s prayers are always effective and in harmony with God’s overarching plan for our lives. When we are unsure of how to pray or what to ask for, we can rest in the assurance that the Holy Spirit is interceding for us, presenting our needs to the Father in a manner that aligns with His divine will.

[ILLUSTRATION]> There is a story about a woman who showed up at Church each week and prayed the same prayer: “O Lord, thank you Jesus.” The children at Church heard her pray this so much that they would laugh every time she would open her mouth to pray, because they knew that she was going to pray the same prayer; “O Lord, thank you Jesus.”

Finally someone asked her; “Why do you pray the same little prayer?” She said; “I’m just combining the 2 prayers that I know. We live in a bad neighborhood and some nights there are bullets flying and I have to grab my daughter and hide on the floor; and in that desperate state all I know how to cry out is, ‘O LORD.’ But when I wake up in the morning and see that we’re okay I say; ‘THANK YOU JESUS.’

When I got to take my baby to the bus stop and she gets on that bus and I don’t know what’s going to happen to her while she’s away, I cry, ‘O LORD’. And then when 3:00 pm. comes and that bus arrives and my baby is safe, I say; ‘THANK YOU JESUS.’”

She said; “Those are the only 2 prayers I know and when I get to Church God has been so good I just put my 2 prayers together; ‘O LORD, THANK YOU JESUS.”

Paul reassures us that we are not left to navigate our sufferings and weaknesses alone. The Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, provides essential support through His intercession, transforming our imperfect prayers into powerful appeals that align with God’s will.

III. Purposeful Plan of God

Providence in All Things

Paul gives one of the most comforting promises in Scripture:

v28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. This verse reassures us that God is intricately involved in every detail of our lives. His sovereignty ensures that everything we experience—whether joy or suffering, success or failure—is orchestrated for our ultimate good and His glory.

The phrase "all things work together for good" does not suggest that everything in life is inherently good or pleasant. Instead, it means that God can and does use all circumstances to bring about a greater good in our lives. This promise is conditional, applying specifically to "those who love God" and "are called according to His purpose." Our love for God and our calling as His children are the framework within which this divine providence operates.

This understanding of God’s providence should profoundly impact how we view our circumstances. When we face trials, we can trust that God is at work, weaving even the painful and confusing aspects of our lives into His redemptive plan. This perspective transforms our suffering, giving it purpose and meaning within the context of God's greater narrative.

Predestined Path

v29 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 among many brothers. Here, Paul introduces the concepts of foreknowledge and predestination, indicating that God’s plan for us was established long before we were born.

God’s foreknowledge is not merely a passive awareness of future events. It implies an active, loving relationship that God initiates. To foreknow someone, in this biblical context, is to set His love upon them in advance. Those whom God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. This predestination is not about arbitrary selection but about God’s determined purpose to transform us into Christ’s likeness. We are predestined to live as Christ lived.

The goal of this transformation is that Jesus might be the "firstborn among many brothers." This phrase highlights Jesus' preeminence and our inclusion in God’s family. Our conformity to Christ’s image is both a present process and a future reality. It’s a journey that begins with our conversion and continues through our sanctification, ultimately culminating in our glorification.

Progression to Glory

v30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. This verse presents an unbreakable sequence that assures believers of their secure destiny in God’s plan.

Predestined: As previously discussed, God’s predestination sets the course for our transformation into Christ’s likeness.

Called: This calling refers to the effectual call of God that brings us into a relationship with Him. It’s an invitation that carries with it the power to bring about the intended response.

Justified: Those whom God calls, He also justifies. Justification is the legal declaration that we are righteous before God, based on the finished work of Jesus Christ. This removes the guilt of our sin and grants us peace with God.

Glorified: Finally, those whom God justifies, He also glorifies. This final step in the golden chain assures us of our future resurrection and eternal state of glory with God. Though we experience this in part now, it will be fully realized in the age to come.

{ILLUSTRATION}> A young boy carried the cocoon of a moth into his house to watch the fascinating events that would take place when the moth emerged. When the moth finally started to break out of his cocoon, the boy noticed how hard the moth had to struggle.

The process was slow, exceedingly slow. In an effort to help, the boy reached down and widened the opening of the cocoon. Soon the moth was out of its prison.

But the boy noticed that the wings remained shriveled. Something was wrong. What the little boy hadn’t realized was that the struggle to get out of the cocoon was essential for the moth’s muscle system to develop. In a misguided effort to relieve the struggle, the boy had crippled forever the future of the moth.

*You may want a quick way out of your situation. You may not like your options that you see. But keep on trusting; keep on believing…