For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us [Romans 8:18]. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 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. 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. 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.
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. 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. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 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. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord [Romans 8:37-39].
Suffering is an inevitable part of life, and though the Christian is not excused from it, our suffering is mediated through the perspective of faith. Scripture teaches us that when mankind rebelled against God creation itself was affected, so that we live in a world of suffering. While the Bible does not explicitly reveal why God subjected creation to futility, many Christian thinkers believe that one of the reasons God allows suffering is so that we do not set our heart on this impermanent world but on God alone, the Unshakable One. Suffering, C.S. Lewis famously observed, is God’s “megaphone to arouse a deaf world.” It is often when we undergo the most severest trials that our eyes are fixed most desperately upon God.
While the Bible does not fully address the reasons behind suffering, we are assured of three things in this passage.
- God uses suffering to bring about something good. At the end of the day we trust that there is a purpose for our suffering. Remarkably, the Christian is able to rejoice in suffering, “knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us [Romans 5:3-5].”
- God is present with us in our sufferings: Though there will be times when our suffering makes it difficult even to pray, God’s Holy Spirit prays for us, present with us through all our trials.
- Our sufferings are not an indicator that God does not love us. Many people going through trials may start doubting God’s love and concern for them. God is not against you. If you are a Christian, nothing is able to separate you from the love of God. There will be a day when the glory of His love will eclipse every sorrow.
- How is every form of suffering able to be traced back to human sin?
- How does the gospel teach us that God dealt with the problem of human sin?
- What does it mean to you that God himself has experienced suffering?
- What are some trials that you are currently going through? What do you think God might be saying to you through your suffering?
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