Scripture Reading(s)
Romans 8:12-25
8:12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh —
8:13 for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
8:15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!”
8:16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
8:17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ–if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
8:18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.
8:19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God;
8:20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope
8:21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
8:22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now;
8:23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
8:24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen?
8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Reflection(s)
The Spirit of God living inside our hearts, is what leads and guides our Christian walk. Being a Christian essentially means that we represent what it means to be free from sin and bear the name of Christ.
When Christ died for us, He freed us from the bondage of sin and instilled in us a hope that we will one day spend eternity with Him. Here Paul is trying to outline that having this type of hope means that the sufferings and trials of this world are not worth comparing to what God is going to do in our lives at the end of it all.
During our time on earth, we have the opportunity to keep reflecting Christ in our lives no matter what is going on. Often trials are used by God to reflect His power and faithfulness in our lives. Yes, we live in a fallen world due to sin, however, our lives are no longer controlled by sin. We have a new hope that tells at the end of this hard road and life, we will see God’s Glory be put on display whether it’s through a hard situation or when He comes to take us home.
Let us set our hopes back on Christ and the promises He has made that one day we will spend eternity with Him. Let us train our hearts to keep focusing on that day and allow for it to fill us true joy, assurance and peace.
[Featured image from biblia.com]