Romans | Part 12
Passage
Romans 8:16-30
Summary
How can you believe in an all-powerful and loving God, when there is so much suffering and injustice in our world? This question is easier to answer on some days than other days. When you are actually staring suffering in the face, or you are experiencing suffering in your own body or in your own mind, you mind know all these biblical truths and truly believe them, but still struggle with this same question; why all this suffering when there is an all-powerful and all-loving God that could also take it away?
This message is called; Spirit-empowered suffering.
Suffering is part of life – also of the Christian life – and even part of our God-given vocation. In this passage, Paul gives us perspective and purpose in our suffering as we await the return of Jesus making all things new.
1) Suffering with hope
Romans 8:18 (ESV)
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
When we are suffering in this life, or confronted with the suffering of others in this life, what we may hold in our hearts is that it is not always going to be this way.
2) Suffering with patience
Romans 8:22-25 (ESV)
For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 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. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Paul compares the suffering of this present time to the pains of childbirth.
This gives us a beautiful perspective for our suffering. Contractions are incredibly painful, but they are a sign that something beautiful is coming.
As the people of God who have experienced redemption, grace, restoration, sanctification and Spirit-empowerment we are also sent out on a mission in this world that is suffering with the pains of childbirth.
3) Suffering with purpose
Romans 8:26-27 (ESV)
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Here, Paul applies the theology of the Cross to the vocation of the Church;
calling it to suffer and groan together with the Spirit anticipating glorification.
Romans 8 is all about our co-glorification with Christ Jesus – well, His glorification involved betrayal, denial, an unjust trial and crucifixion.
Paul applies this to the vocation of the Church and tells us we need to learn to groan and lament, to suffer well – with hope, patience and purpose – empowered by the Spirit as part of our vocation as agents of this new creation.
Opportunity for intimacy
When we are able to give our suffering to God, He is able to meet us in that dark place, bring restoration and use it for a good purpose – of intercession, of compassion, of encouragement, of experiencing His grace in a unique way, of working a testimony and of intimacy with the Father.
Our suffering can become the place where we experience our deepest and most profound intimacy with the Father, Son and Spirit.
