Is There Hope?
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Key Verse: “I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Selected Scriptures: |
IN OUR KEY VERSE, THE Apostle Paul gives assurance to all walking in Jesus’ footsteps, that the sufferings they now encounter are nothing compared to the glory that will soon be revealed when they are with him. Heavenly glory far exceeds any suffering. We are told, “The whole creation groaneth.” (vs. 22) Though they are not aware of it, these are, “Waiting for the adoption, … redemption” (vs. 23) of the sons of God. Christians also ‘groan,’ that is, (pray) waiting, for their deliverance.
Earlier, the apostle had explained the why of the suffering. He says, “If so be that we suffer with him [Christ], that we may be also glorified together.” (vs. 17) In yet another lesson the apostle had written, “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.”—II Tim. 2:11,12
Paul continues, “The creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”—Rom. 8:20,21, New American Standard Version
The Christian is, “saved by hope.” (vs. 24) Through the aid of the Holy Spirit (our new, holy mind), which is the Christian’s guide, he receives the help, and finds the hope, to see him through his trials, which Spirit tells him how to pray.—vs. 26
One of the most comforting of scriptures is found in this same chapter. It reads, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (vs. 28) The Apostle Peter speaks of these as being “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.”—I Pet. 1:2
The Christian is given assurance through all trials as we read, “Since God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31, Wilson’s Emphatic Diaglott) None can condemn those walking, as best they can, in the footsteps of Jesus. It is Christ who makes intercession for our mistakes, as we read, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”—I John 2:1
Paul concludes his thoughts on hope by saying, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”—Rom. 8:35-39
We can thank our God that he has given this assurance of hope that we find in Christ. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.