The church at Rome experienced suffering persecution that had been wrecked with false teaching and division. But here, in the opening of Chapter 5, Paul summarizes what he has established thus far in his writing: “having been reconciled by God.”
This theme in the background emphasizes the concept that we have peace with God. Paul’s intentions here show that not everyone has peace with God or has been reconciled, only those who have responded in faith to Jesus Christ. And for those who are in Christ, we have hope always (Rom 5:1-11).
Human Suffering
Human suffering is natural in a lot of different ways and takes a lot of various forms. Sometimes, suffering is due to our sins or the effects of the sins of others. All of us are familiar with the consequences of sin, and many times, the effects are far-reaching.
Sin complicates life. The truth is that our entire world is cursed because of sin. Yet, even when we are not responsible for what might happen, we are responsible for how we respond. The Bible teaches that the entire creation is groaning for a time of redemption. In heaven, all things shall be made new, sin and its effects shall be no more, and the Lord Jesus reign victorious! The groanings of creation shall cease forever.
and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. – Ephes 4:24
The Old Testament Hebrew word for hope is qavah, conveying hope built on expectation of what is to come. The New Testament Greek word used for hope is elpis. Elpis is hope as confident expectation of what is yet to come. Elpis hope is based on confidence in God. Specifically, His unfailing deliverance.
If we look at our suffering as God does and in the example He has given us in Jesus’ life, our suffering should bring glory to God. In the scriptures, we learn that this is only possible if we shift our perspective from our feelings to focus on God, his will, his truth, and his promises.
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. – Rom 8:25-26
Maintaining Hope
Maintaining hope in adversity requires a relentless and uncompromising spirit. Earthly hope is misplaced, and we should focus on eternal hope in God. Even in immediate suffering, we can find comfort in heaven’s hope.
When we survey Paul’s writings, it’s interesting to see the way in which Paul talks about the sufferings of people in this present age. Peter does the same. With the anguish of people in the day-to-day of the here and now, these biblical writers consistently appeal to what Jesus will do when he comes back for the sake of redeeming man.
Paul does not teach that what provides peace in the here and now changes our circumstances. His hope is built upon the sure foundation that Christ returns to make all things new. We see this in his writing regularly. With all he endured, he lived consistently, trusting in the sufficient grace of the Lord to provide so he could still live with joy.
For in him, the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. – Col 2:9-10
Hope in Christ
Our hope in Christ guarantees that we are conquerors of sin and death. We are not of this world, but our hope points to the glory of our God and the return of Christ. Our present difficulties will disappear, and we will spend eternity with Him. Let’s fix our hope in Christ always.
The very glory of heaven is that we shall see him, that same Christ who once died upon Calvary’s cross, that we shall fall, and worship at his feet, nay more, that he shall kiss us with the kisses of his mouth, and welcome us to dwell with him forever.
– Charles Spurgeon
As our outer person is wasting away, we see the inner person being renewed by faith in what’s to come, that Jesus will be vital in all our weaknesses, and that brings us comfort. When he comes back, he will make all things new. This is eternal and beautiful hope.
As perfect health was our first happiness so that it will be our last and eternal happiness, for heaven is not merely streets of gold and harps of melodic music, and winged creatures strangely bright, but it is perfection realized, the slough of depravity cast off the soul shall be herself again, and of manhood it shall be said, ‘his flesh is fresher than a child’s, and he has returned to the days of his youth. – Charles Spurgeon
Ressurection Hope
Christians are uniquely a people who share resurrection hope. With our eyes fixed on heaven, we have hope always.
Are you hopeless in this life? You can always have hope if you admit you are a sinner in need of forgiveness, repent of those sins, and place trust in Jesus as the Son of God who is willing and able to forgive completely. If you have trusted in Jesus Christ, you have a living hope. My prayer for you and me is that our focus will always be on the resurrection hope of heaven. That our eyes will be on Christ.
For further study:
- Romans 15:13
- Romans 12:12
- Romans 8:24-25
- 1 Peter 1:13
- Pray Psalms 18:1
Debbie Swindell 