Romans 8:18-30 [+/-]Romans 8:18-30
[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.
[26]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. [27]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. [28]And we know that
for those who love God all things work together for good,
for those who are called according to his purpose. [29]For
those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed
to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the
firstborn among many brothers. [30]And those whom he
predestined he also called, and those whom he called he
also justified, and those whom he justified he also
glorified. (ESV)
Does Romans 8:17 [+/-]Romans 8:17
[17]and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow
heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order
that we may also be glorified with him. (ESV)
bother you at all: The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God, and if children then heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him (Rom. 8:16-17 [+/-]Romans 8:16-17
[16]The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit
that we are children of God, [17]and if children, then
heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided
we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified
with him. (ESV)
). It is as if we go from such glorious heights where we are declared by God on the basis of His dwelling by His Spirit in our lives to be His children and heirs of His rich inheritance which comes to us in and through Christ to the depths of despair where it is declared that the way of entry into this glorious inheritance is through suffering. But if we had the eyes to see as God sees we would know that it is the suffering that is glorious for it is our participation in suffering to the praise and glory of God that is the proving ground of both the validity and integrity of what we say about who we are as the children of God. Romans 8:17 [+/-]Romans 8:17
[17]and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow
heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order
that we may also be glorified with him. (ESV)
is a connective verse; we don’t see this as clearly as we should since almost every translation separates verse 17 from verse 18 when in fact they are inextricably linked. God sanctifies us by His Spirit and through His Word and it is seen in our living out our lives under the dominion of the Spirit. Our lifestyle in all that we are and do is led by the Spirit of God through the Word of God. And it is the Spirit of God who leads us into suffering where our witness to the glory of God and the grace of God shines most brightly.
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