Romans 8:18-25 – Glory > Present Sufferings

Romans 8:18-25

“[18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. [19] For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. [20] For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope [21] 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. [22] For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. [23] 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. [24] For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? [25] But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”

What’s The Point?

This is one of the most encouraging passages in all of Scripture. If you are a human being you will experience suffering; it’s just a reality for us because of the Fall. Back in Romans 8:1 we looked at how Jesus has undone the effects of the curse. We are fully redeemed, but we still live in a world affected by sin. That is what this passage is all about. How do we live as Christians in a fallen world?

We see two things in this passage that should help us understand the suffering we see in the world and experience in our lives.

First, the sufferings are compared to childbirth (v. 22). When you go to a hospital there is typically not a lot of smiling. There are floors in hospitals devoted to cancer, head trauma, and intensive care; that is some hard, scary stuff. There is also a floor in most hospitals called “labor and delivery.” Now, this floor sees a lot of pain. There are a lot of women going through immense physical suffering to deliver babies, but in childbirth the suffering is followed by joy.

That is what Paul is likening our suffering to. Is there real suffering in the world? Yes. Is there real pain in disease, death, aging, and loss? Absolutely. But this suffering is not in vain; God is using it to bring about hope. This does not change the existence of our suffering, but it changes our ultimate reality, which puts our suffering into perspective. If our hope is in a comfortable life, we will be disappointed, but if our hope is in the eternal life to come, we will never be disappointed.

Second, Paul compares our earthly sufferings with our future glory. And what does he say about our suffering? It is not worth comparing to our heavenly reality. We often make the mistake of giving too much weight to our earthly sufferings and earthly joys. Everything the world offers us these days has to do with making us comfortable, but what if comfort isn’t that important? What if our holiness is more important than our comfort?

We tend to listen to lies from our flesh and the devil when it comes to pleasure. God has given us a future hope that will far outshine anything here on earth, but Satan tries to dull those future pleasures to make the current ones shine brighter.

We need to have a right perspective on joy and suffering. Paul calls our suffering “light, momentary affliction” (2 Corinthians 4:17). This could be offensive, but only because we don’t understand how good heaven will be. Paul is not saying cancer is easy, but he is saying that the suffering of cancer pales in comparison the glory of heaven.

The challenge for us is to truly hope in heaven. I mean hope in heaven in such a way that causes the cares of this world to fade away, hope that realizes heaven is eternal and this life is temporary, hope that we groan for, longing for our bodies to finally be fully redeemed. And ultimately our hope is in the fact that God himself will be there, and we will at last be fulfilled by being in his presence and experiencing his glory. That’s what we long for and groan for and hope for—God himself and the place he’s preparing.

Scripture Memorization

Romans 8:18

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Prayer

For the prayer time today find a version of the song Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus and listen to it, or read the lyrics below. Turn the song into a prayer. Pray that your eyes would be turned to Jesus, that you would behold him and not long for anything else. Pray that his glory would outshine anything this world has to offer. Pray that your desires for him would increase and your love of sin would decrease.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full, in his wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of his glory and grace.”

Reflection

1. Do you hope in heaven daily? If yes, what does that look like? If no, what is your hope in?
2. How can Paul say what he says in v. 18? How do we not let our present circumstances consume or define us?

Discussion Questions

1. What things are absent from heaven that we experience here? What things are absent here that we will experience in heaven?
2. Where do you find your hope? Do you put your hope in heaven or things on earth?