Bible Passage: Romans 8:18-28

I. Verse 18: I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us

1. Present suffering (verse 18; cf. 8:35)

a. Trouble
b. Hardship
c. Persecution
d. Famine
e. Nakedness
f. Danger
g. Sword

2. Three “groanings” in the present time (8:19-22)

a. Creation groans: bondage of decay (internal longing for liberation from a broken world)

i. Natural disasters
ii. Extinction and predation
iii. Environmental degradation
iv. Physical death
v. Diseases
vi. Rust, erosion, and decay
vii. The creation is waiting for the day when the law of decay is completely overwritten by the law of resurrection life
viii. The creation looks forward for the renewal just like the glorious freedom of God’s children (verse 21)

b. Believers groan: inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption (8:23-25)

i. Verse 15 says, “you received the Spirit of adoption”
ii. Change of status from slaves to children
iii. The status change happened but the adopted one has not reached the adopted home as yet—already but not yet
iv. The completion of adoption process
v. “Redemption of our bodies” (verse 23)
vi. The “already” and “not yet” tension—“spiritual standing” at present and “resurrection and renewal of our bodies”
vii. Adoption in Roman world

• Adopting a young adult and officially making the person to legal heir of the family estate
• At the time of adoption, the person’s debts are erased, legal obligations are settled, and ties to their former family was cut off, and a new family name is given with a brand-new legal standing
• Equal share and rights with the natural born
• Same inheritance that belongs to Jesus
• Kingdom of God
• The Holy Spirit as the guarantee (2 Cor 2:23; Eph 1:13-14)
• The Holy Spirit as the legal pledge, sign of ownership, and the authenticity of adoption
• The seal of ownership gives legal protection from others tampering with what belongs to God
• In the present time in Christ’s suffering (cf. verse 17)

viii. According to Roman law, a biological father could disown a natural born son, but an adopted father was legally prohibited from disowning the adopted son
ix. “Groaning” happens between the initial adoption and final redemption and renewal through resurrection

• Walking away from the adopted one would mean God forfeits His own Spirit

c. The final salvation does not depend on the adopted one to hold on to God, but it depends on God’s commitment to protect His decision
d. The Spirit groans: the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings (verse 26)

i. While we live as adopted children in this broken world and expecting the final state of adoption, the Holy Spirit steps into the adopted children’s aide
ii. i.e., the Triune God steps into His children’s weakness and intercedes for them
iii. The Holy Spirit lifts the heavier side of the weight and lifts it with the person
iv. The Holy Spirit does not take the weight away from a child of God but the Holy Spirit lifts along with the believer who is under the weight
v. The word has the word “together” points to divine partnership in weakness
vi. The Spirit does not do 100% lifting while the believer remains passive—He lifts while we lift, giving divine power to our efforts

II. Verse 28 we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose

1. All things πάντα
2. The groanings, grief, illness, betrayal, …
3. The painful, frustrating, and chaotic experiences of life
4. God uses all of them for their “good”
5. The word “good” does not mean earthly comfort, wealth, or a pain-free life
6. The word “good” is “being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ” (cf. verse 29)—this is the highest good for a person

III. Principles

1. Present suffering must be juxtaposed with the future glory
2. The present trial has an expiration date
3. The present difficulty is not a sign of the absence of God or His abandoning of the earth, it is the groaning for emerging redemption
4. Cultivate biblical hope—avoid resentment toward God
5. When you come to a place of “no more words” sit in God’s presence because you have a supernatural aide in prayer
6. In life situations, do not ask “why” instead find out “how God can use to accomplish His purposes”

Takeaway:

Trust God’s long-term shaping process when your immediate circumstances appear to be a difficult one