THE BIRTH OF HOPE
OUR GUARANTEE: THE PROMISE WE EXPECT

In the eighth chapter of Romans, Paul tells us that creation groans. But, not only does creation groan—Christians groan. He says, “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.” (v.22-23).

There is a groan along with the Gospel! I fear that many have responded to a faulty message with a futile faith that supposes God is some genie who exists for our comfort. Such were led to believe that becoming a Christian means no problems, no pain, no suffering, nor strife and so are shaken when the storms of life come—as they inevitably will. So, these have built their lives on sand rather than on the rock (Matt.7:24-27).

You will recall that Christ told a story about the sowing of the Gospel seed and the types of soil that that characterize the hearts of the hearers. One kind of ground was shallow and the seed quickly germinated. Yet, when the sun came up, it withered under the heat and died because the roots weren’t deep. He explained that there are those who joyfully receive the Word—there is an emotional response—but, then Jesus said, “when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles” (Matt.13:21).

Christianity isn’t for sissies! Wimps need not apply. Life is tough. Everybody faces trials—saints and sinners alike. It’s part of living in this fallen world. The truth is that the toughest life of all is the Christian life. That’s why few follow Christ. Otherwise, everyone would get on board the Gospel bus. Obviously, most choose another path. Here’s why: following Christ is to walk in the bloody footprints He has left on His way up the Calvary Road. We are summoned to self-denial and to shoulder our cross (Mark 8:34).

Confronted with this, we may wonder that anyone would take this path. What would cause someone to choose the way of suffering—even more suffering than as is the common lot of humanity? It is because God guarantees eternal life in heaven—and it sure beats hell! We become the children of God by faith as we are adopted into the family of God. This makes us heirs to heaven’s riches (Rom. 8:17-18).

Hebrews 11:24-26 paints a beautiful portrait of this truth on the canvas of Moses’ choice:

24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

God’s guarantee to His people is that one day the groans are going to give way to glory! That is true for creation and it is true for Christians.

Even the body will be redeemed. We know that these bodies are subject to the curse. Death is at work in us. At the age of 30, you begin to lose 9,000 brain cells each day! Have you seen any that look like mine? I seem to have misplaced a lot! The fact is that once lost, they are never regained. What is true for our brain is true for the other systems of our physical being. We are continually deteriorating. Why do you think an old sofa weighs so much? It has accumulated several persons’ weight of skin cells in its cushions across the years! When we die our bodies decompose—they go back to the dust from which we are fashioned. A little boy was taught in Sunday School the Bible truth that we come from the dust and go back to it. He later yelled out, “Mom, I looked under the bed and I want to know if that’s a man coming or going!”

Paul in 1 Corinthians 15—the great resurrection chapter—likens our bodies to seed sown in the ground. There will come a day of resurrection—the glorification of our bodies—transformation into a body like unto the Risen Christ. Here’s the guarantee: Jesus said, “Because I live, you shall live also.” The tomb became the womb for the birth of hope!