In the process of salvation, the stage called ‘glorification’ is where
we should ultimately arrive. We deduce this from the Lord’s High Priestly
prayer recorded in John 17. Paul now puts it in no uncertain term that this glorification
will be the ultimate experience for all believers. This, to be experienced
glory, is beyond comparison. It was forfeited at Adam’s fall but God will restore
it to believers. We need to know that salvation is incomplete without sharing
the ultimate glory with Christ. Paul calls it our future inheritance. As believers,
we are “heirs of God,” meaning God is the source of their inheritance.
Furthermore, believers are also fellow-heirs with Christ, meaning that this
glorious inheritance will equal to that of Christ’s. For these two reasons, it
is worthwhile for believers to endure all present sufferings. Present
sufferings are God’s instrument to prepare believers to receive that ultimate
glory.
In verses 19-27, Paul then went on to describe three types of groaning,
expressing the deep desires for the glory of God. Firstly in verses 19-22, he
talks about the groaning of creation. From Revelation 21:1, we know that there
will ultimately be a glorified universe – a new heaven and new earth. There
will come a time when God’s eternal Kingdom will be established. While waiting
for that to happen, the whole creation groans for the curse to be removed.
Romans 8:19-22 reveal that the whole creation groans and is yearning for the
freedom from the weight and corrupt power of sin.
Secondly, in verses 23-25, Paul describes the believers’ groan. While
believers may be the adopted children of God, they still feel the weight of
their human nature. They still await the redemption of their bodies where they
will share similar bodies as that of Christ’s. It will be only be at that point
that the believers’ redemption will be complete. These verses also indicate to
us that while the believers’ souls are redeemed, they do not have a compatible
redeemed body yet. So they yearn for the day when their bodies, having been
redeemed, will match their redeemed souls.
And thirdly, in verses 26-28, Paul went on to tell
us that the Holy Spirit also yearns for believers to attain glorification.
While in the present unredeemed bodies, we believers struggle in our quest for
perfection. It is here that the Holy Spirit enters and helps us in our
weaknesses. It is here that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us according to
God’s will. Verse 28 tells us the most assuring factor in the Christian walk –
the intercessory work of the Holy Spirit within. And this gives believers the
assurance that “… all things work together for good to those who love God and
are called according to His purpose.” Paul probably had in mind the believers’
current as well as their future circumstances.
Regardless of whatever had or will ever happen to
us as believers, God is constantly engineering things for both our immediate
and ultimate benefit for His ultimate glory. What a blessed thought! We will ultimately
share in the glory of Christ. It behooves us therefore, not to be afraid of the
present sufferings. Keep the first three words of Romans 8:28 at the forefront
of our thoughts and be assured. “For we know…,” that ultimate glory is ours.
That is our certainty. Praise be unto God!
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