Conclusion (15/15)

Finally, I have reached the conclusion of this ridiculously drawn out Bible study. I do hope that you were challenged by some of the things that we've studied, I know I have been.  Keep persevering through the trials in your lives; there is One who will redeem everything soon than we know.

 I will leave you with a quote from C.S. Lewis, who has written a great many wonderful and insightful things about heaven,

If we insist on keeping Hell (or even earth) we shall not see Heaven: if we accept Heaven we shall not be able to retain even the smallest and most intimate souvenirs of Hell.

With much love,

Becca

Practical Application (14/15)

In light of all of this studying our passage of Romans 8:18-25, how should our lives be different? What are some lessons that can be learned and applied?

1)We do not suffer without hope. Christians know that trials will come. We should expect them. However, we do not mourn with the hopelessness of a nonbeliever. Our hope is in Christ. We can be an astounding testimony to those around us through Christ-centered sorrow. Remembering that our lives are not our own but are to be used to honor Christ can help in the ever-present battle to focus on our own misery.

2)Look forward to glorification! We should be making plans for the next life, not trying to make this one perfect. There is a quote that states, "The journey is more important than the destination".  My wise pastor Bob Johnson always said, "It is the destination that gives meaning to the journey." Without the hope of eternity, this life would be meaningless. How thrilling that we have a hope! So let's talk about it! Let's spread the word! Tell your friends!

3) Hope patiently with endurance. Just because you are waiting for something does not mean you cease all activity. As believers, we should be active in our wait.  Ask yourself, "What can I do now to better prepare myself for when he comes?" Be like the bridesmaids who had oil in their lamps! Be actively seeking God now. Pursue ministry! Be faithful to the time that he has laid aside for you here on earth.

What it means to me! (13/15)

Romans 8:18-25 gives me a lot of hope.

You see, I was born with one hand. Congenital defect. Growing up, there were many things that were difficult to do, or took a long time for me to learn how to do: tying my shoes, braiding hair, riding a bike, etc.

While my family never teased me because of it, and I was in a very caring environment, there was always the thought in my head that I was different. I couldn't be like other kids if I had tried.

Children with disabilities often swing to one of two extremes: the I have a disability so I cannot do much and am a victim or the You think I can't do something but I will prove you wrong. I swung towards the latter. It gave me a lot of independence, but also a lot of pride: Pride that my disability was not holding me down. Pride that I could excel despite my deficiencies.

Coming to Moody has helped me have a balanced view of myself and my disability. Yes, it is good that I have been able to overcome a lot of challenges that I have faced. No, I cannot do everything, and that is okay. Yes, I still need help. No, God is not finished with me yet. I am still waiting for "the redemption of our bodies".

I used to try and convince myself that I would not want to have two hands; that I was already whole. However, that is like boy with a broken leg saying, "No, my leg is just fine. This pain is normal. I do not need to have it set, thank you." It is absolutely ludicrous!

I have realized that there is something so much better waiting for me, that this life is not my ultimate reality. When we accept our present reality as good enough, when we make our home in this world, we cheapen the anticipation of the glory to come.  Like someone who is en route to the Bahamas trying to stay in the airport lobby, we have a better future awaiting us. We have Jesus Christ awaiting us! And he is so much better than two hands.

What it meant for the Roman church. (12/15)

What did Romans 8:18-25 mean to the Roman church?  Paul was not naive enough to think that the church did not have troubles. He knew very well that they were going through much persecution, and were not even allowed in Rome at some points. They were Christians who were fed to lions for entertainment, esteemed as naught.

Even amidst the strife of these trials, Paul spoke hope. There was a place where they would not fear for their lives anymore. There was a Father who would welcome his children home. Paul encouraged the Roman believers to look forward to that day.

Verses 24-25 (11/15)

24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

In what hope were we saved? In the hope of adoption! In the hope of redemption! In the hope that these trials that we go through presently will be replaced by something so SO SO much better.

 Have we seen what this hope will look like yet? Nope! That is why Paul says that it is not something seen. I cannot hope that my name is Rebecca Langer. I know that it is. I can hope that one day I will change my name when I marry a man. That is something possible to hope for.

How should I hope? Patiently. The Greek word here ὑπομονή could also be translated steadfastness, constancy, or endurance.

I am currently training for my first marathon. The most that I have ever run has been 13.1 Miles, and in October I will attempt to run 26.2 miles. It astounds me what the human body can do when you just decide to do something and don't stop. On the long runs, however, when I become accustomed to running and my breath evens, I am surprised at my own need to simply be patient. The miles will take care of themselves if I just endure and put one foot in front of the other. It definitely is not easy, but in one sense, all you need is the steadfastness to say, "I will be there soon. I am not there yet. I just need to keep going".

In our Christian journey, we need to walk in the Spirit and just keep going. The power that we are sustained by is not our's but the Lord's. Stay steadfast during the trials and the marathons of our lives. Be patient; it will be worth it. When we cross the finish line, there will be a lot more waiting for us than a gold medal.

Verses 22-23 (10/15)

 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.


Continuing the thought from the last section, Paul personifies "creation" as a woman in labor. I have never been in labor, but I am sure that if I were, I would want it to be over very soon. I would be excited to see my child, but I would be wishing the time would come soon and that my pain be over. The earth awaits the Lord's coming, and so should we.

 Paul acknowledges that humans understand that there is something better waiting for us. We have tasted the grace of God. We have seen answered prayer, and the awesome power of the body of Christ working together. When worshiping, we can feel the presence of God. All these are mere foretastes of the Spirit.

I can't help to but bring to mind Joni Eareckson Tada who lost the use of all four of her limbs at the age of 18 due to a freak accident. All of the hopes and dreams she had were dashed as she watched her independence sink and her problems increase. She was depressed and suicidal at times because she could not fathom why the Lord would put her in this position. Over time, she accepted His will, and began to paint with her teeth and speak on behalf of disability ministries. The Lord has done so much through Joni, and created beauty where the world would have only seen pain.  However, Joni still looks forward to the redemption of her body. No matter how much good the Lord has done through her, she still yearns for the time when she can run and jump again.  We all like Joni have much to be redeemed.

Verses 18-21 (9/15)

Let's take a closer look at some of the passage:

"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." 

Paul did not think that the sufferings of his present time were much compared to the future glory in store from him. What were these sufferings? He gives a short account of a few of them in II Corinthians 11:

24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 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; 26 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; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.

Plus, let's not forget the "thorn in the flesh" that he suffered from for years. If anyone had claim to suffer it was Paul, but I understood better than most the hope that lies in the revealing of our glorification. Verse 19 shows that we already are sons of God, but that our true nature has yet to be revealed. It is an "already but not yet" reality. The earth did not want to be cursed by God, but it was only because man chose to disobey that it was now corrupted. The weeds, earthquakes, tsunamis, and bloodshed that are a part of the world that we live in are not something that will continue forever. They are only here until man is physically redeemed. Man came from the dust (Genesis 2:7) and the dust of the Earth is tied to him.  The Lord will renew the whole Earth when he gives humans our new bodies.