The Christian Way to Glory, Part Three
“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 would be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” Romans 8:19-21
The Apostle Paul had suffered for his faith, but he was completely confident that what he suffered in this life, some of it nearly unbearable, would pale in comparison to the glory that faithful followers of Jesus will experience in the future. How could Paul be so confident? How can we be so confident? What do we have to look forward to that’s so compelling, so glorious, that it outweighs any hardship or suffering we can experience in this life?
Paul points us to the fact that this world is passing away and that one day we will live in an amazing, new creation. We will live in a world that is free from the stench of death and the sting of suffering. Can you picture it?
There are a lot of beautiful places in this world, but just watching the evening news for five or ten minutes is enough to remind us that this world is not all that God created it to be. This world is fundamentally broken, and through the cracks have come death and disease and disaster.
But the Bible promises us that someday the God, who created this world, will re-create it, free it from its bondage to decay so that it becomes the glorious place God meant it to be in the first place. This world has never lived up to its potential as a home for human beings in community with God, but someday it will. That’s God’s promise, a promise that you can bank on. It’s a promise solid enough to hang your hopes on.
What an old hymn says is so true, “This is our Father’s world, O let us ne’re forget, that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is our Father’s world, the battle is not done, Jesus who died, shall be satisfied, and earth and heaven be one.” We live in the confident hope of living in that glorious world one day and forever.
Bringing It Home
1. What is it about the brokenness of this world that most breaks your heart? What might God be calling you to do about it?
2. How does the promise of a new creation sustain you or motivate you in your journey of faith?
Prayer
Lord, my heart aches over the brokenness of this world. Would you use that ache to propel me into this world as an ambassador of your love and grace and hope? Allow the promise of your ultimate redemption to sustain me as I walk with you day by day. Grant your Holy Spirit to those who listen, that they may believe and be transformed by the good news of your glory and salvation. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
*This four-part series of Faith@Work devotions was largely inspired by Pastor Bryan Wilkerson’s sermon “The Great Reveal.”
Jeff Marian
Prince of Peace, Burnsville, MN
www.princeofpeaceonline.org