Romans 8:18-30
All Good Works Are Working for the God
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.
Paul' made these statements to the Romans...Paul considered that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us...For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed...For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God...In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose...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...And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified...
I find this a very difficult statement and a mystery when I see a large number of school shootings, abuse of children, and the death of young ones...I find it difficult to understand the death of family and friends...Our daily news headlines are mostly said...Man is evil and wicked...
Author Philip Yancey helps me understand Paul's statements better...There is this Future Hope in the author's words...Yancey wrote: “That this world spoiled by evil and suffering still exists at all is an example of God’s mercy, not his cruelty.”...“Not until history has run its course will we understand how “all things work together for good.”...Faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse.”...