Roman 8:18-39

Present Suffering and Future Glory
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

More Than Conquerors
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Its Discipleship point day. Today we draw from the Disciple’s Creed, part two: As a disciple of Jesus, I seek to always be ready to give a reason for the hope that I have in Christ Jesus, praying that the Holy Spirit uses my words, my deeds, yes – my entire life – to bring others to the joyful truth and life in Jesus, to become baptized, and learn the life of following Jesus.

The world is always watching; not everybody, but somebody. All the experiences we go through, good and bad, are opportunities for others to see how we incorporate Jesus, how we hold on to hope, how we handle life. Especially when we experience situations that lead to seasons of mourning, it's good for us not to hide or fake being unmoved emotionally, but to be real emotionally and to let our faith do its job which is lean into and trust in God.

Discipleship Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, I pray that You would use the seasons of mourning in my life to help me share the reason for the hope that I have in You. And I pray that Your Holy Spirit would use all things in my life, my words, my deeds – all my experiences – to help others encounter joy and blessings of life in You, of following You as a disciple. In Your name I pray. Amen.