Romans 8:18-30
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.”
