Rom
8:22-25 (NIV) We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains
of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves,
who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for
our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were
saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already
has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
NOTE: How do we
understand evil, pain, and suffering in this world? It is our hope of a better future. We are awaiting the evidence of our adoption
as sons. Paul has already called us
heirs with Christ, but the actual adoption is consummated when our bodies our
redeemed with a new body, that will be free of the sinful nature. Then we can stand in the presence of God
without the stain of sin. For now we can
enter into prayer because of Jesus' blood, but we cannot enter heaven with our
sinful nature. That will need to be
removed and we will need a new body to stand before the Father. We don't see it now, and the world thinks we
are fools to have such a hope, but we wait patiently for it. I'm not sure what the world hopes
for--nothingness seems somewhat empty; ceasing to exist in thought is
futileness--but what can you hope for when you are the product of random
processes. Our hope does have a basis
though. It is based on the life Jesus
lived on earth, on the sayings that Jesus gave, and on the resurrection that
Jesus proved to so many eyewitnesses.
These eyewitnesses were not second generation believers convinced of a
lie. They were the true eyewitnesses who
would rather die than deny their savior.
They weren't rich on earth and gained little by their faith, but they
kept the faith nonetheless.
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