Proper 11: Epistle, Romans 8:18-27

Continuing in one of the most celebrated and celebratory chapters in the whole Bible, we continue to run into the work of the Spirit of God. Hardly mentioned in the first seven chapters or this letter, chapter eight nearly erupts with the presence and power of the third person of the Trinity. Bam! All of a sudden here He is. That does not mean His influence is absent prior, but it is most evident here.

This passage points to the future. Our future as the Redeemed of the Lord. Redeemed and justified, sanctified, glorified and enjoying our life to come. Some in the church are confused believing that all the blessings of our salvation in Christ are ours at present. While they are all guaranteed, they are not all evident as Paul admits that the Christian has suffering at present (Romans 8:18). But the chapter goes on to make evident that the great Apostle is trying to drive home that salvation carries a marvelous element called “hope.” It’s important to remember that for the believer in Jesus, hope in the New Testament is never a “holding your hat in your hands, white-knuckling affair.” Hope is sure.

These same confused believers claim that God wants you healthy now. Above illness now. And they attribute it rightly to the cross-work of Jesus. But their timing is a bit off. God heals. I believe it. God desires our prayer for healing. I believe that too. But I believe the Scripture which says that my hope for a perfect and healthy body is just that. Paul even makes it clear in 8:24, “Now hope that is seen is not hope.” And Paul leaves the future, full redemption of the Christian’s body in the hope category until our resurrection.

Lest I be seen as picking on our brothers whose timing may be amiss, let me say I appreciate their zeal in seeing that God’s mighty work IS for the whole man including the body. I run into a disturbing number of Christians who don’t really believe in the confession they make in the Apostle’s Creed, “I believe in the resurrection of the BODY.” Honestly. It happens more than you might think. Our adoption as sons of God includes the fulfilling of the hope in which we were saved, namely a body like Christ’s glorious body. 

Future hope will be satisfied and satisfied most perfectly. I know I can bank on that hope because my Savior’s resurrection guarantees mine. And all who trust the person and promises of Christ Jesus. Do you believe this? I hope so.