Part 2 - Climbing the Height of Romans 8

Mt. Glory!

John Muir was a Scots born American naturalist, conservationist, writer, and explorer who is famous as the “Father of the National Parks” and a founder of the Sierra Club. He is the one who said the famous line, “The mountains are calling, and I must go.” For those who have been in the mountains, you understand the attraction.

In last week’s message we saw great truths like freedom from condemnation, the enabling by Holy Spirit to live a life pleasing for God, and the gift of the indwelling presence of Holy Spirit. We also saw that the believer is a child of God. We are adopted and heirs, and also that we will share in His glory. These are mountains of truth for the Christian.

In my mind, reaching the summit of a mountain and standing there as you slowly do a 360 to take in the scene would be a small fraction but a tangible way to understand the glory of God.

One mountain climber put it succinctly, “Reaching the summit is the goal!” I think Paul would agree, but with a much greater mountain.

Romans 8:18 NIV

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

I have compared these ideas to mountains. I have compared the summit of a mountain to the idea of glory. But let’s take a look for a moment at what Paul means when he uses the word glory.

 A vision of his glory cannot fail to promote a reaction of awe.

Glory includes a view (and a preview) of God’s power,

Glory embraces the mysteries of God. [1]

Mount Glory Will Be Revealed

Romans 8:18–25 NIV

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 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. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

How Do We Deal with Suffering Along the Climb?

Stop staring at mountains. Climb them instead, yes, it’s a harder process but it will lead you to a better view. - Unknown

Paul acknowledges that there is the present unpleasant suffering. There is frustration. There is bondage to decay. There are 3 levels of groaning – creation, the believers, and Holy Spirit.

Suffering has never been a popular subject—even when taught by Jesus. Do you recall Peter’s reaction to Jesus’ prediction that He would suffer death at Calvary? Peter began to rebuke Jesus, saying, “Never, Lord!” Suffering did not fit into his concept of the Messiah. Jesus’ response to Peter was not unlike His response to Satan when he tempted Jesus at the beginning of His ministry.[2]

The way up to the top of the mountain is always longer than you think. Don’t fool yourself, the moment will arrive when what seemed so near is still very far. — Paulo Coelho

Sandia mountain overlooks the city of Albuquerque, NM. From my daughters house the mountain looks like a steady incline from its base to the summit, but really it is a series of peaks, valleys, forests, and rocks until you reach the summit. I suppose it is a pretty good metaphor for life. It is filled with ups and downs – peaks and valleys. The goal must always be the summit, reaching the glory of the very top of the mountain.

Andy Andrews is an author of over 26 books and sold more than 20 million around the world. He speaks for corporations, organizations, athletic teams, and the military. However, at the age of 19 he experienced suffering. His mother died of cancer and a couple months later his father died in a car accident. Andy spent over a year on the coast of Alabama homeless. He wrote this about mountaineering but more about life:

Everybody wants to reach the peak, but there is no growth on the top of a mountain. It is in the valley that we slog through the lush grass and rich soil, learning and becoming what enables us to summit life’s next peak. -Andy Andrews

How can you handle stress more effectively? By putting your troubles into perspective, you will gain stability and stamina. Through Jesus Christ you have “an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17).[3] In an interview with Lee Strobel, Peter Kreeft concludes that the answer to suffering is not an answer at all.

“It’s the Answerer,” says Kreeft. “It’s Jesus himself. It’s not a bunch of words, it’s the Word. It’s not a tightly woven philosophical argument; it’s a person. The person. The answer to suffering cannot just be an abstract idea, because this isn’t an abstract issue; it’s a personal issue. It requires a personal response. The answer must be someone, not just something, because the issue involves someone—God, where are you?[4]

All of us have experienced suffering and would say “Amen” to that question, “God where are you”. At the same time, we also can testify that it is in those times of suffering that we feel God’ presence even closer. In fact, that is Paul’s next thought.

Holy Spirit is Our Guide and Helper

Some mountains demand that you have a guide. The most famous are Sherpas, they actually possess genetic and physiological adaptations that allow them to live and work at extreme altitudes. They have been helping mountaineers climb peaks like Mt. Everest for centuries.

Paul mentions in his Epistles two divine intercessors: the Spirit and Jesus Christ. Christ intercedes for us in the Father’s presence in heaven (Romans 8:33–34; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:25; 8:1; 9:24; 1 John 2:1). The Holy Spirit intercedes on earth within or through believers (Romans 8:26–27).[5]

Romans 8:26–27 NIV

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. 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.

How does He help us? The Greek word helps is comprised of three words (sunantilambanetai):

Combined, these words “refer to a person coming alongside another to take part of a heavy load and help him bear it” (1992, 2:888). This expression is similar to one Jesus used when He spoke of “another Counselor” (John 14:16). The word Counselor (Greek, parakletos) literally means “one called alongside to help” and can also be translated as “Comforter,” “Encourager,” or “Advocate” (Beers 1996, 934). In essence, Paul says that our weakness (or inability to know what to pray for) is like a heavy load; thus the Holy Spirit comes to our side and helps us bear it.

Trust in the Goodness of God

Now we’ve reached the mountain that includes verse 28:

Romans 8:28–30 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

I don’t intend to make an argument about predestination and free-will this morning except that I know God is sovereign and has provided His Son for salvation. His work has gloriously provided justification and one day those in Christ will be glorified. That is true. Instead, I want to celebrate God’s works for good through ALL THINGS.

Last week we were shocked at the horrific shooting in Minneapolis that took the lives of 2 children and injured almost 20 more while they were praying at Mass at their school. Our hearts were broken. Flags were lowered. Things were said. And Bishop Barren responded. He acknowledged the tragedy raises deep questions about evil, but pointed to the gospel’s message of hope even in suffering. I quote:

"We know that God is all-good and all-powerful, and yet we also know that there are wicked people in the world who do terrible things. And so we must say that the just and merciful God permits some evils so as to bring about a good that we might not be able immediately to see. God is faithful in his love, but the ways of his providence are often inscrutable to us. We also know that, in Jesus, God journeyed all the way to the bottom of our suffering, accepting, as St. Paul said, 'even death, death on a cross.' We cannot always understand why God permits evil, but we know for sure that he accompanies us in our suffering," he said.

Paul tells us that God works for the good in all things for those who love Him. It seems like He shouts in suffering, but even so we know that He is working for good. I believe that we need to discipline ourselves to hear Him and see His hand in the good things of life as well – the love of our spouses, the smiles and laughter of our children and grandchildren, the sunrise and sunset, and the companionship of our family pets.

Shouting from the Summit!

What will it be like to share in the glory that we currently hope for? What will it be like to stand on top of the mountain? To be in Heaven with Jesus? Consider the list of things Paul provides in the last 8 verses of the chapter:

Romans 8:31–39 NIV

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Did you hear and see all the promises that Paul points out?

When you stand before a mountain range, you realize two things at once: how small you are, and how permanent the mountains are. Generations come and go, nations rise and fall, storms sweep across valleys, but the mountains remain. They are immovable, steadfast, unshaken.

Paul ends Romans 8 with the assurance that God’s love is like that—only greater. He piles up every possible threat we might face: tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword. Then he goes further—life, death, angels, rulers, powers, things present, things to come. And just to be sure nothing is left out, he adds, “nor anything else in all creation.” In other words, every storm, every avalanche, every force that could ever come against us is powerless to move the mountain of God’s love.

And so, brothers and sisters, as you walk out into your week, you may encounter winds of worry, landslides of loss, or earthquakes of doubt. You may feel like your faith is trembling. But the mountain is not trembling. God’s love is not shaking. His love stands taller, stronger, and more enduring than every trial you will ever face.

If God is for you, who can be against you? The cross of Christ has already settled that question. The empty tomb has already declared the victory. And the Spirit of God within you is the unbreakable proof that you are His child forever.

So the next time fear whispers in your ear, lift your eyes to the hills—to the mountain range of God’s love. Let Romans 8 remind you: Nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

That mountain will never move. And neither will His love for you.

[1]Donald Guthrie and Ralph P. Martin, “God,” in Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, ed. Gerald F. Hawthorne, Ralph P. Martin, and Daniel G. Reid (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 361.

[2]William F. Lasley and Richard Dresselhaus, Romans: Justification by Faith: An Independent-Study Textbook, Third Edition (Springfield, MO: Global University, 2010), 129.

[3]William F. Lasley and Richard Dresselhaus, Romans: Justification by Faith: An Independent-Study Textbook, Third Edition (Springfield, MO: Global University, 2010), 129.

[4]Craig Brian Larson and Phyllis Ten Elshof, 1001 Illustrations That Connect (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2008), 191.

[5]William F. Lasley and Richard Dresselhaus, Romans: Justification by Faith: An Independent-Study Textbook, Third Edition (Springfield, MO: Global University, 2010), 131.