Paul was encouraging the chosen in Rome. He had been unable to join them thus far, but knew that all roads led to Rome and therefore the Gospel could spread very quickly from Rome to the world. The first promise of Romans 8 focused on the justification our relationship with God provided. The next promise centered upon who we are in Christ, and what awaits us as God’s heirs.
As followers of Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin, the world culture, or to the ravages of the enemy. Instead, we are reborn. We are now children of God. As adopted children, we are entitled to the honor, benefits, and inheritance that any heir would receive. Paul told those he was living with at the time in Corinth, “If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. the old is gone and the new has come.”
As heirs to the Father, we need not be discouraged by the trials and suffering we endure in our journey. As Paul so clearly annunciated, “Our present suffering does not compare to the glory that awaits us.” This life is centered in a broken world. We are surrounded by sinful and broken people. We are in spiritual war, facing daily attacks and devastations. Still, in the midst of these present struggles, We have the Holy Spirit to guide, train and comfort us.
What’s more, We will soon join the Lord for an eternity in His presence. There, we will no longer suffer. Sin will be gone, the battle won, and we will stand with our Heavenly Father victorious and as full heirs to His Kingdom. Our minds cannot fathom the amazing eternity that awaits us. Simply to be in God’s presence, welcome and completely embraced by His love and desire to be in relationship with us will so overwhelm and astound us that we will forget the measly life issues and problems we faced.
Our lives are but a dot on a very long line of infinite eternity. We can endure whatever comes our way knowing it cannot compare to what we, as His children, have waiting for us in and for eternity!
God Bless You
10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus[d] from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
Heirs with Christ
12 So then, brothers,[e] we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons[f] of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 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.
Future Glory
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.
Walking With God 