Romans 10 - Israel's Present

 

Previously in Romans, we learned how deep Paul’s love was for his own people, the Jews. He said he could wish himself cut off from Christ if it meant the Jewish people would be saved. The Jewish people are blessed, for they were the first to receive the adoption, the covenants, the giving of the law of God, etc., and ultimately were the people the Lord chose to bring Jesus into the world. However, only those who believe in Jesus will have eternal life. Most of them have rejected their Messiah, but Paul tells us near the end of the chapter that a remnant will be saved. The rest have stumbled at the stumbling block which is Christ.

Paul picks up in chapter 10 by stating that his heart’s desire and prayer for Israel is that they would be saved. He bore them witness that they had a zeal for God, but it was not according to knowledge. This is still true today: there are many who are very sincere and zealous for God, but they do not have the correct understanding of who He is or how a person enters into a relationship with Him. You can be sincere and zealous, but still be wrong. This is the case for many in the Jewish community, in pseudo-Christian cults, and even within the Church.

They are ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seek to establish their own righteousness. In so doing, they have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God, although if you were to talk with them, they would say that they have. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. This is an echo of what he said in chapter eight, “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Paul then references Moses who said of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” In other words, if a person wants to be righteous by keeping the law, they must do it perfectly, something he has already proven impossible. So, if attempting to keep the law is not God’s form of righteousness, what does God’s righteousness look like? Paul will tell us next.

He says, “but the righteousness of faith speaks in this way.” The first thing to take note of is that God’s righteousness that He wants mankind to have is that of faith. The author of Hebrews writes, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Heb 11:6) This coincides with everything Paul has told us thus far in Romans. “For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’” The Lord first counts us righteous by faith, and then He begins making us righteous. Second, he uses a literary device called a personification to help illustrate what genuine faith looks like, and it appears to primarily be connected to how faith speaks. The next two verses are actually a paraphrase of Deuteronomy 30:11-14 in which Moses was telling the children of Israel God’s commandments were not mysterious or difficult to be sought out; they were in their mouths and in their hearts. So, too, with the Gospel, it’s not about ascending up to Heaven or descending into the abyss to find Christ, for going to great lengths to keep the law will not bring us closer to Him. The word of faith is also near us, in our mouths and in our hearts.

These next two verses are probably among the most quoted from in the entire NT, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Rather than being some formula or rote prayer we coach people to say in order to be saved, I believe, again, Paul is telling us what genuine faith looks like in line with what he said in v 6. Making salvation about a specific prayer takes the emphasis off faith in Jesus Christ, and places it in words that we say (if I say the right words, I will be saved). This then goes against everything Paul has told us in Romans so far about being justified by faith. It turns into people calling Jesus Lord, but there is no faith in Him to make their relationship real. To these Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Also, “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Mat 7:21, 23) Having said this however, I do believe it is a great model to follow when leading others to Christ, because confessing Jesus Christ as Lord is one of the greatest evidences a true change has taken place in their heart. I have used this model in leading others to Christ, including my own children.

At the heart of this passage, what I believe Paul is getting at is what will we do with Jesus publicly. True faith will ultimately remain faithful to Christ, even in persecution. The word Paul uses for ‘Lord’ is the same word Roman citizens would use in calling Caesar lord. Emperor worship was common in the Roman empire, and was political in nature to keep unity amongst its citizens. However, Nero took it a bit more seriously, and Domitian sought to establish it on a larger scale. Roman citizens would be required to stand before a statue of Caesar, offer incense on an altar, and say Caesar is lord. The penalty for not doing this was death. Paul was writing to a Roman audience, and what he was essentially saying is that Christians need to choose to whom they would give their allegiance, Jesus Christ, or an earthly ruler. If they did not renounce their faith in Christ (even to save their lives) they would be saved. This echoes what Jesus said to His disciples, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” (Mat 10:23-33)

Many of you probably remember the story: In 2015, 20 construction workers from Egypt, and one from Ghana, came to Libya for work. The twenty Egyptians were Christian, while the man from Ghana was said not to be initially. While there, they were abducted by ISIS, and told to renounce their faith and convert to Islam or be executed. The men refused, many of them crying out in the moments before their death, “Ya Rabb Yesua! – ‘O Lord Jesus!’” The man from Ghana was asked if he would renounce Christ, and he responded, “Their God is my God.” The man from Ghana, seeing the courage of his fellow co-workers, became a convert himself, and was willing to lay down his own life.

Again, whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. If we have trusted in Christ for salvation, He has removed everything that would cause us shame on the day of judgment. There is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile, for the Lord is over all and is rich to all who call upon Him. If we remember from chapter 8, God is for us, has freely given us all things, He has justified us, He intercedes for us, and He loves us. He does not only save some of us, but, “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Next, Paul explains the importance of evangelism by asking a series of questions. How will someone call upon the Lord if they have not believed? How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? How shall they hear if there is not a preacher? How shall they preach unless they are sent? He then quotes from Isaiah, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” If it were a matter of working hard enough and doing enough good, and maybe you’ll make it, that would not be a Gospel of peace. Those who go to preach the Gospel (glad tidings of good things) are preaching a message of peace, and it is a beautiful thing. Not all have obeyed the Gospel, for Isaiah in speaking of Jesus said, “Lord, who has believed our report?” This insertion may seem out of place, but Paul is getting ready to bring it back to the nation of Israel and how they rejected the Gospel as predicted by the prophets.

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. This says two things: first there must be those who are willing to preach the Word. There is a popular saying out there, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.” Although many who quote this may be well-intended, it does not line up with what we see in the Scriptures. True faith confesses Jesus as Lord, and true faith preaches the Gospel to others. We see this in Romans 10, and we see this demonstrated in the early Church in the book of Acts. Our conduct as believers is crucial, but preaching comes first. Yours and my conduct are not perfect; we will have both good and bad days. If people coming to Christ is based off how I am doing in the sanctification process, then this will always fall short of portraying the Gospel. However, the truths of the Gospel and of the Scriptures never change. As long as I can point them back to Jesus and the word of God, they are pointed to something that never fails. As we are preaching, then, yes, we are to seek to ensure our lives line up with what we are preaching as to not distract others from coming to the Lord.

Second, this verse implies there has to be a willing listener for faith to be produced. The Jewish people, by and large, were unwilling to hear the preaching of the Gospel, and thus remain in unbelief. It is not as though the Gospel message has not gone out however, and here Paul quotes from Psalm 19 in which the heavens are declaring the glory of God. God’s first witness to Himself and the Gospel is seen in the Heavens. Second, is His provoking them to jealousy through the Gentiles as foretold by Moses in Deuteronomy 32:21. Isaiah also speaks of this in stating He (the Lord) was found by those who did not seek Him, and was made known by those who did not ask for Him. Lastly, God says through Isaiah, “All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” Israel, a nation chosen by God and recipients of the law and prophets who foretold of the coming Messiah, should have known better. They did not know better because they are a disobedient and contrary people. Missler writes, “God has not withheld salvation from Jews; He has held out His hands, imploring them to return to Him. Israel’s continuing rebellious and unbelieving disobedience was judged by God’s turning to the Gentiles.” On the other hand, when the word of God is preached to a willing listener, someone whose heart is as the good fertile soil, it will produce faith. So far, Paul has discussed Israel’s past rejection of the Messiah that has lasted until the present, but in the following chapter, he will discuss their future salvation.

Romans 9 - Israel's Past

Previously in Romans, we saw how believers have hope in their suffering. They have hope because creation will be restored, they will receive resurrected bodies, the Lord is working all things together for their good, and the Lord loves them with a love they cannot be separated from. In the following three chapters, Paul will discuss God’s sovereignty and election demonstrated through the nation of Israel. It can be divided into three sections: Israel’s past, Israel’s present, and Israel’s future. Many today are confused about the nation of Israel, mistakenly believing the Church has replaced them, however, as we will see, the Lord still has a plan for the Jewish people, although they do not see it. This may seem like an abrupt change from chapter 8, but there is a connection. If God cannot or will not bring Israel into salvation who were once His people, then what security would we have as believers? God’s faithfulness to the Jewish people is what gives us the confidence He will be faithful to keep His promises to you and me.

Paul begins by stating he is telling the truth, and not lying, his own conscience was bearing witness in the Spirit. He does this because what he was about to say would be hard to believe. He said he had great sorrow and continual grief in his heart, and could wish himself accursed from Christ (doomed to destruction) for his brethren, his relatives according to the flesh, who were Israelites. This was not an allegory, but Paul was clearly speaking of the nation of Israel here, the Jewish people. Israel is mentioned 75 times in 73 verses in the New Testament, and in each case it is referring to the nation rather than the Church. Paul was not a Jew hater. He could have hated them for being the ones primarily responsible for Jesus’ death, rejecting the Gospel, and following him around trying to kill him, but he didn’t. How could he? Paul was a Jew himself, and was guilty of the same things. However, the Lord had mercy on him. Not only did he not hate them, but he was willing to give up his own salvation (although not possible) in order for them to be saved. I’ll be honest, there are people whom I love dearly, but I would not be willing to give up eternal life for them. Hell is an awful place, and eternity is a long time to be there. However, this is what Paul said. Moses said a similar thing when he spoke to the Lord after the Israelites had made a golden calf, “Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” (Ex 32:32) The Lord did not accept Moses’ request just like He didn’t Paul’s, but we do get a glimpse here into the heart of godly individuals towards God’s people.

Paul recognized their spiritual heritage: God had blessed them with all the privileges of being His special people. They were the first to be adopted, to receive glory, the covenants and the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises of the Scriptures. They belong to God the Father, and it is through them that Christ came into the world, who, said Paul, “is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.” This is another one of these passages that is a clear proclamation of the deity of Jesus Christ. Some like to state otherwise, but the grammatical context does not support their views. So then, without the Jewish people, we would not be here today, saved and headed for Heaven. They are truly blessed, and we have been blessed because of them. For this we should be grateful.

God came to them first to offer them what we have, but they, not recognizing it,  rejected it. They rejected their own Messiah, and the good news of salvation through faith in Him. However, just because the Jews have rejected their Messiah and are walking in rebellion and unbelief does not mean the word of God has been broken. For not all who are of Israel are Israel, and not all the descendants of Abraham are considered children of God. Abraham had many sons, even Ishmael his firstborn, but only Isaac received the inheritance because he was the son of promise. In other words, a person can be part of the nation of Israel, but not part of the true family of God because they have not believed in the true Son of promise, Jesus Christ. Paul writes a similar thing to the Galatians, “Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written: ‘Rejoice, O barren, you who do not bear! Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children than she who has a husband.’ Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless, what does the Scripture say? ‘Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.’ So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.” (Gal 4:21-31) So then, the nonbelieving Jews are under the bondage of the law which came from Mount Sinai, and are not children of promise. This refutes the teaching out there that there is a dual-covenant in which the Jews do not have to come to Christ for salvation. If we recall from chapter 1, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

To further illustrate his point, Paul gives the example of Isaac and Rebecca who gave birth to Jacob and Esau. When they were still in the womb, the Lord spoke to Rebecca, ‘The older shall serve the younger.’ God chose Jacob to receive the inheritance and the blessing, not by his works, for neither of them had done good or evil yet. Even if God had waited, Jacob’s works would not have proven to be better than Esau’s (maybe worse). God chose Jacob according to His purpose and election. In His foreknowledge, He knew that Jacob would ultimately respond to His call to repentance and faith, whereas Esau would not. On this basis, the Lord accepted Jacob, and rejected Esau. Just like God chose Isaac and Jacob, so too He has chosen some Jews as part of the nation of Israel to be saved. Ultimately, we may not understand why God chooses some and rejects others, but we do know He has a reason for His choices that is in harmony with His loving and just nature.

So, if God chose Isaac instead of Ishmael or Abraham’s other sons, and if He chose Jacob rather than Esau, Paul asks if there is unrighteousness with God? Like he has done before, he answers “Certainly not!” He then quotes from Exodus 33, saying ‘I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.’ (Ex 33:19) Mercy is not getting what we deserve, so no one is unfair for not showing mercy, especially the Lord. It is not about wishing to do well or actually doing well, but it as the Lord who shows mercy.

He then gives the example of Pharoah. God said He raised up Pharoah to show His power in him, and that His name might be declared in all the earth. If we recall, the Exodus account refers to Pharoah hardening his own heart, as well as God hardening it. God hardened Pharoah in the direction he was already going in order to show the world how powerful He is and bring glory to His name. Throughout history and even today, the Exodus account is one of the most well-known Bible stories. Some individuals God has mercy on, and some He hardens like Pharoah.

Some might object to this, saying, if God has mercy on some and hardens others, how can God find fault with someone since they are being hardened against their will? But Paul responds by saying who are we to reply against God? The thing formed does not ask the one who formed it why he made them this way. If we think about it, it is arrogant to question the God of the universe why He made something or someone a certain way. The potter has the power to make whatever He wants, whether it is a vessel of honor or dishonor. What if God endures with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction in order to show His wrath and make His power known? Notice it does not say God prepared them for wrath, but simply that they are prepared, probably by their own doing. God shows His wrath and power as a deterrent to sin and to teach mankind to fear Him.  On the contrary, what if God makes known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy which He prepared beforehand for glory? It is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance. This kindness is shown on those whom He called, both Jew and Gentile.

Next, Paul quotes from several OT passages in Hosea and Isaiah concerning Israel’s future. They will be called His people who were not His people, and beloved who were not beloved. In the place where they were called not His people, they will be called sons of the living God. Although the number of the children of Israel were as the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved. This is according to the Lord’s complete and righteous judgment. If the Lord had not left them a seed, they would have become like Sodom and would have been made like Gomorrah. What Paul is saying here is that God will have to severely discipline the nation of Israel, but He will save a remnant in the end, something he will come back to in chapter 11.

As for now, Israel is pursuing the law of righteousness, but cannot obtain it because they seek it by trying to keep the law rather than by faith. They stumbled at the stumbling stone and rock of offense which is Jesus Christ. Whoever believes on Him will not be ashamed. Gentiles, on the other hand, were not seeking righteousness, but have obtained it by faith in that same Jesus. Paul will continue this topic in the next chapter, tell us what genuine faith looks like, and how this faith comes to us.

Romans 8 - Our Hope in Suffering

 

Last time in Romans, we saw how there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. The law of the Spirit of life has set us free from the law of sin and death. Jesus came and condemned sin in the flesh by dying on the cross in our place, and now the righteous requirements of the law are fulfilled in us. We now live a life characterized by obedience because the Holy Spirit lives in us and leads us into righteousness. We ended with Paul beginning his discussion on suffering, and how believers need to be willing to suffer on their journey toward Heaven. There are those with misguided theology who do not believe Christians should suffer, but the Bible states otherwise.

The suffering Paul is referring to here is the suffering that resulted from The Fall. This can be persecution for being a Christian, pain and sorrow, sickness and disease, and ultimately death. However, what believers are gaining (the glory which will be revealed in them) far surpasses anything they might lose in this life. They have escaped Hell, and are inheriting eternal life with a resurrected body. This does not mean they cannot grieve or experience the emotions that go with pain and suffering, but that there is comfort in it that they would not have if it weren’t for the Lord. Although believers are promised suffering, they are also promised hope in their suffering. Paul will give us several reasons why we can have hope in our suffering.

One reason that believers have hope in suffering is that creation will be restored. Even the creation eagerly awaits the revealing of the sons of God (you and me at the second coming of Christ). The creation was subjected to futility, but it was subjected by Him who did it in hope. God allowed the curse of sin not only to affect mankind, but the entire universe. It was subjected in hope, because it too will be delivered from corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. This is speaking of the millennial reign of Jesus Christ. Isaiah writes of that time, “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole, and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:6-9) It would appear from this passage and others like it that the Lord will restore the planet to a state much resembling what it was prior to The Fall, and this will last 1,000 years before the Lord creates a new heaven and new earth.

Paul likens this process to a woman in labor: it groans and labors in birth pains to the present, but one day soon it will be delivered. We don’t have to look far to see that creation is groaning in labor pains. We have massive storms, earthquakes, floods, and devastating fires that are wreaking havoc on the globe. Those who like to politicize the problem blame it on climate change, but it’s just a sign the planet is getting old. The author of Hebrews, quoting God the Father says, “But to the Son He says: ’Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.’ And: ‘You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed.’” (Heb 1:8-12) Jesus created everything, He will restore or renovate it if you will for the millennial reign, and, one day, He will exchange the old garment for a new one. John wrote in Revelation, “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also, there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’” (Rev 21:1-4)

The second reason believers have hope is that they will receive a new body. We who have the first fruits of the Spirit have a taste of the glory that is to come. We too, are groaning within ourselves, eagerly awaiting the consummation of our adoption which is the redemption of our bodies. Sickness, death, and even just the aging process are proof of this.

Believers were saved in hope. This is the hope that the Lord will redeem our physical bodies and the rest of creation, but we cannot see it now. That is what makes it hope, having a confident and joyful expectation of what God is going to do. We eagerly await it with perseverance, meaning it is not easy at times. However, we have these promises from the Lord in the Scriptures: “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thes 4:13-18) And if we remember from last time, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ ‘O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?’ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Co 15:50-57) Jesus has conquered sin and death, and if we believe in Him, we will too!

A third reason believers have hope in suffering is that the Holy Spirit prays for them. In times of great pain and suffering, believers know they should pray, but don’t always know what to pray. Maybe the grief is such that they are kept awake at night and cannot even find the strength to pray. Asaph said, “You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.” (Ps 77:4) In those times The Scriptures state that the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses by making intercession with groanings that cannot be uttered. There are those who like to attribute this to the gift of tongues, but this doesn’t seem likely since they are groanings rather than words. They are also done by the Holy Spirit rather than by the person. Here we see the Father and the Holy Spirit working together. The Father, through the Holy Spirit, searches believers’ hearts, and makes intercession for them. The Father knows the mind of the Spirit even though words are not being expressed.

A fourth reason believers can have hope in suffering is that God works all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Now, most of us have heard this verse so often that it almost sounds cliché. However, this does not change the fact that it is true. He works all things together for our good no matter how bad our circumstances are or whether or not we can see it. He has called us, and has a purpose for us. Understandably, it can be difficult to believe this in the midst of tragedy, because we just cannot see how anything good can come out of our suffering. It takes faith to believe this, and sometimes an incredible amount of it. However, Paul tells us why we can believe this to be true.

He states, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” people get hung up on this word ‘predestined’ depending on whether they lean more towards Calvinism or Arminianism, but I think we need to look at it in light of God’s unchanging character as taught in the rest of Scripture. In Malachi 3:6, the Lord states, “I am the Lord, I do not change.” Predestination is connected to His foreknowledge. Foreknowledge means to know in advance, and predestined means to predetermine or decide beforehand. So, God knew in advance who would respond to the Gospel, and therefore, pre-determined who would be conformed into the image of Christ. The Lord is willing that none should perish, so the idea that He arbitrarily decides from the beginning who would and would not get saved is not consistent with the rest of Scripture.

Those He predestined, he also called through the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 6:44 and 16:7-11). Those whom He called He also justified as explained in chapters 3:21-5:2, and those whom He justified, the same He also glorified. Believers were glorified at salvation when they received the Holy Spirit along with their new nature, and they will be glorified again with their new bodies.

We can trust that God works all things together for our good because He is for us, and if He is for us, who can be against us? If He would not hold back His own Son from dying for us, why would He not freely give us anything else through Jesus Christ? What more could He have given us? Our past sins cannot keep us from God working all things together for our good, because we have been justified by faith. Neither can our present or future sins keep us from this good, because Jesus died, rose again, and now is at the right hand of God making intercession for us. The author of Hebrews writes, “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Heb 7:25) The apostle John also writes, “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” (1 Jn 2:1-2) When we sin, we come to our advocate, Jesus, who is interceding to the Father for us.

Lastly, the fourth reason believers have hope in suffering is that the Lord loves us. Paul asks the question, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: ‘For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’” In times of great trial, it can be easy to doubt the Lord’s love for us. “If the Lord loves me, why would He let this happen,” we might ask? We can allow the emotion of the experience to overshadow what we know to be true. What is true is that the Lord does love us, and He proved it by going to the cross for us. It may seem based on what we are going through that we are victims to the evil that is being inflicted on us, but the Scriptures state we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. I had a pastor that used to say, “we win, and we win big.” Again, Jesus has conquered sin and death, and is coming back to administer justice on sinful humanity. We as believers are coming with Him.

Not only does He love us, nothing can separate us from this love. Paul answers his question, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” There is nothing or no one that can separate us from God’s love. It’s not given to us based off our performance, but based off His nature “For God is love.” (1 Jn 4:8) This, perhaps, is the greatest consolation in our suffering, because if we believe the Lord loves us, then we can trust that whatever He allows our way is for the best and that He will work all things together for our good.

In Summary, believers have hope in suffering. God foreknew us, predestined us, called us, justified us, and glorified us. He loves us and works all things together for our good. One day, we will meet the Lord in the air, and will receive resurrected bodies. There will be a new heaven and earth, and pain, sorrow, and death will be no more. In the following three chapters, Paul will begin discussing God’s plans for the nation of Israel. Many in the Church think that God is done with the nation of Israel, replacing it with the church, but as we will see, this is not true.