called, justified, glorified
Paul concluded the discussion on living as children of God and heirs with Christ with an often glossed over call to suffer. We are to suffer with Christ; and this suffering is specifically defined as not continuing in our former way of living. Immediately following these statements, Paul moved into an announcement of what is produced through this suffering.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)
The fruit produced through both our adoption as well as our pursuit of living into our position as children of God—putting to death the deeds of the body (Romans 8:13)—is the reclaimed glory of all creation. Paul wrote that creation itself yearns for the day of revival, to see us revealed as the children of God living for the kingdom; and, it should be noted that Paul did not depict the longings and groanings of heaven but rather the desperation of creation.
“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.” (Romans 8:19)
“For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” (Romans 8:22)
In Revelation, John was given a vision of a new heaven and a new earth in which all has been prepared for God to dwell intimately with us as was always intended: He will wipe away our tears and usher in the perfect peace of His kingdom (Revelation 21:1-4). This is the perfect end. Within the context of Romans, however, Paul informed the church that the beginning of such an end can begin now (and has actually already begun). We—the redeemed, the children of God, the restored saints—are called right now to live into the newness of life, the calling of God, the Kingdom of Heaven. This way of living, the fervent pursuit of the Christian life, is not only the longing of creation but is also the desperation of our souls. Deep within our psyche is a need to live into the glorious righteousness for which we were created; we were created to live in perfect right standing, glorious union, with God. While understanding that there is still more to come, Paul proclaimed that this longed-for righteousness is available and present today. We—the redeemed—are the firstfruits.
“And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved.” (Romans 8:23-24a)
Our future hope is not to exist as intangible spiritual beings plucking harps on clouds in heaven; what we yearn for and hope in is the physical redemption of our bodies and the restored glory of creation. This begins now because of the salvific work of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Again, more is still to come and there is a future glory to be revealed. At this very moment, we exist in a duality. We are redeemed; we are heirs; we are restored children of God; we are sanctified and justified and made righteous. However, we are also still being sanctified; we still sin; we are still embodied in a state doomed to weakness. But, there is hope while we strive and suffer through this duality: the Spirit, living within us, helps us in our weakness. The very Spirit of God is our Helper (John 14:26). Despite our current weakness, the Spirit presents our prayers not as they are but as they should be, as righteous pleas aligned with the heart and will of God.
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.” (Romans 8:26)
It should also be noted that Paul’s use of firstfruit imagery is not a poetic sentiment. The ending of this passage has been the source of many theological discussions—primarily the debate on predestination. Here, Paul specifically noted that there are those who have been predestined and called. But there is no indication that the pre-selected are an exclusive minority. In fact, Paul’s language and imagery is fitting with Old Testament writings of which which his audience, the church in Rome comprised of a significant number of those from the Jewish community, were well aware. Abraham was selected to be a child of the promise that the rest of the nations (all people) would be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3). All families of the world were to be blessed with Abraham being the first vessel, the firstfruit. Likewise, we, the redeemed, are debtors called to live according to the ways of God so that we might be the firstborn among many. For this we have been called, justified, and glorified as children of God.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:29)