Romans 8, part 2- vs. 18-27

We study the book of Romans in junior high Sunday school because it neatly summarizes the entire Bible. What makes Romans chapter 8 remarkable is that it summarizes the book of Romans; so it is a summary of a summary of the Bible. That makes each and every word hugely important. The chapter is divided into three sections.

Paul begins the chapter with bold, triumphant proclamations like,
- Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus; and
- Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.

We’re all familiar with the tremendous promises found in the last section of the chapter, such as:
- We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, and
- If God is for us, who can be against us? and,
- That nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God.

However, we’re less familiar with the middle section of the chapter. Ironically, it is these 9 short verses that really gets at what the Christian life is all about.
Read Chapter 8:18-27

This section tells of our past, present and future. We, as well as the entire creation, have been subjected to frustration. We, as well as the entire creation, will be redeemed and liberated into the glorious freedom that comes by being adopted as God’s children. However, Paul writes that these things are yet unseen. This is the future that we hope for.

Look at the present tense phrases- the words Paul uses to describe the Christian life right now. Words like suffering, groaning, weakness, pain. It is in the midst of this reality where the key to our best life now is: to patiently wait and hope in eager expectation. Certainly we all agree in the abstract that we ought to patiently and eagerly wait for God’s coming redemption, but it’s a bit trickier to put this into practice.

The example we developed in class is to consider your self an orphan in a run down, Charles Dickens style orphanage. You fill the seemingly endless days with monotonous chores and tasks, with only the anticipation of more suffering. One day, however, word comes down that you’ve been adopted by the richest, most kind and generous parents in the land. Although you’re not sure when they are coming, the adoption papers have been signed, sealed, and delivered.

Imagine what this news would do for your attitude! Even though you’re still at the orphanage, you’re not really an orphan any more. The rooms would seem warmer, the gruel would taste less bland, and you’d breeze through your chores while always keeping one eye looking out the window, because when your new parents come, you’ll want nothing to do with the orphanage. Everything changes when you have hope. Now imagine that your new parents have told you to invite all the other orphans to come to them for adoption!

This is how we are to live, as adopted sons who are still at the orphanage. We wait patiently and eagerly by glorifying God in our jobs, homes, churches and school. Although we will often experience frustration, we do so in hope, knowing that our Father will come at any moment and that our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that is to come. When that happens we need to be ready to instantly and eager let go of the gruel we cling so hard to in this life.

God doesn’t make us wait alone, however. His Spirit is with us every step of the way, and even when we don’t know what to say, he’s there, interceding for us with groans that words cannot express.

So, as we continue on through the chores we have in this world, make sure to keep one eye looking out the window, because the best is yet to come.