Romans: Identity through Suffering

Romans 8:18-25

Suffering. We prefer not to think about it, and we never want to experience it. We aim to live lives free from stress, illness, fear, and disappointment—ones that are always victorious. Honestly, that’s what many Christian teachers seem to promote. We don’t invite suffering; however, we all know that real life creates situations and actions that inevitably cause pain. 

As we recently read in Romans, chapter 5, Paul states that when we are justified by faith, “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). That’s “news of victory!” He follows with this hard truth: “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame...” (Rom. 5:3-5a). 

In Romans 8, Paul declares that there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). Here is more “news of victory”! The Holy Spirit lives inside every believer! And the same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead will give life to our “mortal bodies” (Rom. 8:11). It’s the Spirit in us that “bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God... heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:16-17a). Then Paul adds, “provided we suffer with him that we may also be glorified with him.”

Paul, can you please leave out the suffering bit? Let’s stay positive!

Unfortunately, we all understand that’s the reality of life. In today’s passage, Paul provides a future perspective on how to deal with our pain.  

Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Paul offers an encouraging reminder that our pain is never wasted, as it builds endurance, character, and hope. He then emphasizes that whatever we face today is insignificant compared to what awaits us in eternity. 

This verse was not written as Paul was secluded behind closed doors in a monastery or living a quiet, comfortable life. He faced “countless beatings, and often near death” experiences (2 Cor. 11:23). He wrote: 

2 Corinthians 11:24-28
Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.

Nevertheless, Paul is confident that what he experiences on earth will be forgotten because of what awaits him in heaven.  

Romans 8:19
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

Personification of creation helps us understand the magnitude of what is to come. The phrase “eager longing” translates the Greek word apokaradokia (apo—“away,” kara—“head,” and dokia—"watch”), which illustrates a person eagerly looking up, straining to see as they wait and watch with anticipation. 

Here’s why creation—personified—waits with expectancy:

Romans 8:20-22
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 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. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

Creation shares in the curse of sin that affects humanity (Gen. 3:17-19). The word translated as “futility” means “idle, resultless, aimless.” Because of sin, creation falls short of its potential. In our limited understanding, creation appears magnificent, but due to sin, it is not what it could be or was meant to be. Creation “has been groaning,” longing to be “set free from its bondage to corruption.” 

Creation isn't the only thing waiting to “be set free.”

Romans 8:23
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. 

While trapped in our imperfect bodies, we “groan inwardly” as we undergo physical, emotional, and mental pain. All our suffering arises from being sinful people living in a broken world. This world and our presence constantly remind us that things are not as they should be. Suffering heightens our awareness that we are under the curse of sin, making us long for deliverance. A life of luxury wouldn’t always make heaven appealing, but suffering definitely does. 

For the farmer, the firstfruits harvest symbolizes a promise of more to come. Similarly, we have the “firstfruits of the Spirit,” which give us the strength for today and the confident assurance that much more is still to come. Paul explains elsewhere that the Spirit is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance (Eph. 1:14; 2 Cor. 1:22). We have been adopted into God’s family, securing our eternal future (Rom. 8:12-17). Now, we “groan inwardly” as we wait for full adoption with new bodies fit for heaven—free from pain and suffering.  

Romans 8:24-25
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.

Our hope for eternity is what we are saved for and eagerly await with patience. Still, our relationship with Jesus is experienced right now in the present. We enjoy the blessings he gives us in this life — friends, family, children, and grandchildren. We value the vocations that provide us purpose and thank him for both the material and spiritual blessings we receive. The suffering we endure makes us long for this certain hope of eternity, knowing that this life is not the end. It’s not here yet, but “we wait for it with patience.” 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Romans 8:18-25. Focus on the believer’s great hope.

Talking to God: How does the promise of future glory help you wait with hope today?

Zoom Call: We’re excited to invite you to a special Zoom call TONIGHT at 7:00 PM as we come together to reflect on what we’ve learned in our study of John and take a midpoint review of the book of Romans. Here is the information to connect to the call at 7:00 PM tonight:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88398532230?pwd=Pe5IbgovecCacpvMnpEYorRm4AFCRD.1

Meeting ID: 883 9853 2230
Passcode: 770132

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