The certainty of salvation

Paul argues again and again in Romans that we owe it to Christ that God regards us as justified. Although we sin sometimes, those sins are counted towards the old self who was crucified with Christ. Our sins do not count against what we are in Christ. We have a duty to fight sin not to be saved, but because we are already children of God. In the last part of chapter 8, Paul turns his attention to our glorious future.

The entire universe redeemed by Jesus

Christian life is not always easy. The fight against sin is exhausting. Ongoing persecution makes being a Christian a challenge. Coping with everyday life in a fallen world, with unscrupulous people, makes life difficult for us. Yet Paul says: "I am convinced that this time of suffering does not weigh against the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Romans 8,18).

Just as Jesus looked forward to his future when he lived as a human on this earth, so do we look forward to a future so wonderful that our present trials will seem insignificant.

We're not the only ones who will benefit from it. Paul says that there is a cosmic scope to God's plan being worked out within us: "For the anxious waiting of the creature waits for the children of God to be revealed" (v. 19).

Creation not only wants to see us in glory, but creation itself will also be blessed with change when God's plan is brought to completion, as Paul says in the next verses: «Creation is subject to impermanence - without its will but through the one who subjected them - but on hope; for creation too will be set free from the bondage of impermanence to the glorious freedom of the children of God ”(verses 20-21).

Creation is now in decline, but that is not what it should be. At the resurrection, if we are given the glory that rightly belongs to the children of God, the universe will also be freed from bondage. The entire universe has been redeemed through the work of Jesus Christ: «For it pleased God to let all abundance dwell in him and through him to reconcile everything to him, be it on earth or in heaven, by making peace through his Blood on the cross »(Colossians 1,19-20).

Patient waiting

Although the price has already been paid, we do not yet see everything as God will finish it. "For we know that up to this moment all creation is groaning and in labor" (v. 22).

Creation suffers as if it were in labor pains, since it forms the womb in which we are born: «Not only it, but also ourselves, who have the spirit as a firstfruits gift, groan within ourselves and long for it Sonship, the redemption of our body ”(verse 23).
Even though the Holy Spirit has been given to us as a pledge for salvation, we too fight because our salvation is not yet complete. We struggle with sin, we struggle with physical limitations, pain and suffering - even while enjoying what Christ has done for us and continues to do with us.

Salvation means that our bodies will no longer be subject to perishability, but will be made anew and transformed into glory: "For this perishable must put on incorruptibility, and this mortal must put on immortal" (1. Corinthians 15,53).

The physical world is not garbage to be disposed of - God made it good and He will renew it again. We do not know how bodies are resurrected, nor do we know the physics of the renewed universe, but we can trust the Creator to complete His work. We do not yet see a perfect creation, neither in the universe nor on earth, nor in our body, but we are confident that everything will be transformed. As Paul said: “For we are saved in hope. But the hope that is seen is not hope; because how can you hope for what you see? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience ”(vv. 24-25).

We wait patiently and eagerly for the resurrection of our bodies. We are already redeemed, but not finally redeemed. We are already delivered from condemnation, but not fully from sin. We are already in the kingdom, but it is not yet in its fullness. We live with aspects of the age to come while we are still struggling with aspects of this age. «In the same way the spirit also helps our weaknesses. For we do not know what to pray, as it should be, but the Spirit itself steps in for us with unspeakable sighs ”(v. 26).

God knows our limits and frustrations. He knows our flesh is weak. Even when our spirit is willing, God's spirit intervenes for us, even for needs that cannot be put into words. God's Spirit does not remove our weakness, but helps us in our weakness. He bridges the gap between old and new, between what we see and what he has explained to us. For example, we sin when we want to do what is good (Romans 7,14-25). We see sin in our lives, God declares us righteous because God sees the end result, even if the process of living in Jesus has only just begun.

Despite the discrepancy between what we see and what we think we should be, we can trust the Holy Spirit to do what we are unable to do. God will bring us through: “But he who searches the heart, knows what the mind of the spirit is directed to; for he intervenes for the saints as God wills ”(verse 27). The Holy Spirit is on our side helping us so that we can be confident. Despite our trials, our weaknesses and our sins, "We know that all things are good for those who love God, those who are called according to his counsels" (v. 28).

God does not create all things, he allows them and works with them according to his ordinance. He has a plan for us and we can be sure that He will complete His work in us. "I am confident that he who has begun the good work in you will also finish it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1,6).

So he called us through the Gospel, justified us through his Son and united us with him in his glory: «For those whom he chose, he also predestined that they should be like the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. But those whom he has predetermined, he has also called; but those whom he called he also justified; but whom he justified, he also glorified them ”(verses 29-30).

The meaning of election and predestination is hotly debated. Paul does not focus on these terms here, but speaks of an election for salvation and eternal life. Here, as he nears the climax of his preaching of the gospel, he wants to reassure readers that they need not worry about their salvation. If they accept it, it will be theirs too. For rhetorical clarification, Paul even speaks of God having already glorified them by using the past tense. It's as good as happened. Even if we struggle in this life, we can count on glorification in the next.

More than just overcomers

«What do we want to say about this now? If God is for us, who can be against us? Who did not spare his own son either, but gave him up for all of us - how should he not give us everything with him? " (Verses 31-32).

Since God went so far as to give His Son for us when we were still sinners, we can be sure that He will give us whatever we need to make it happen. We can be sure that he will not be angry with us and take away his gift. «Who will accuse God's elect? God is here who justifies ”(v. 33). Nobody can accuse us on Judgment Day because God has declared us innocent. Nobody can condemn us because Christ our Redeemer stands up for us: «Who wants to condemn? Christ Jesus is here, who died, and more than that, who was also raised, who is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us ”(verse 34). Not only do we have a sacrifice for our sins, but we also have a living Savior who is always with us on our path to glory.

Paul's rhetorical skill is shown in the moving climax of the chapter: “Who wants to separate us from the love of Christ? Tribulation or fear or persecution or hunger or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: For your sake we will be killed all day long; we are respected like sheep for slaughter »(verses 35-36). Can Circumstances Separate Us From God? If we are killed for the faith, have we lost the battle? In no case does Paul say: "But in all of this we overcome far through him who loved us" (v. 37).

We are not losers in pain and suffering either - we are better than overcomers because we share in the victory of Jesus Christ. Our victory prize - our inheritance - is the eternal glory of God! This price is infinitely greater than the cost.
"For I am certain that neither death nor life, neither angels nor powers nor rulers, neither present nor future, neither high nor deep, nor any other creature can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" ( Verses 38-39).

Nothing can stop God from the plan He has for you. Absolutely nothing can separate you from his love! Absolutely nothing can separate you from his love! You can trust in the salvation, the wonderful future in fellowship with God that he has given you through Jesus Christ!

by Michael Morrison