How should believers respond to hopelessness?
Easter Sunday is a reminder of the suffering that Jesus endured so God’s plan for sinners could be fulfilled. However, we are also reminded of his glory as he conquered both sin and death.
Looking at the world arouns us, hopelessness may seem every where. Every person to walk this Earth goes through suffering. As Christians, we too aren’t exempt from suffering. While we are called as children of God and called to share in his glory, we can’t share in his glory without also sharing in his suffering. We look to Romans 8:18-25 and learn two appropriate responses to hopelessness and suffering.
1. Know your final destination (v.18-21)
The suffering, pain and hopeless situations that we experience in this life is nothing compared to the glory of when Jesus comes back. What a joyous occasion it’ll be for us and for all creation who await Jesus’ return patiently. The whole world will be judged and it will be revealed who are a part of God’s family. At this point, all the suffering and pain will fade. We no longer be concerned by the pain of suffering of this world because we know how great eternity will be with Jesus; a place where there will be no more sadness, pain or evil. This is our final destination. So, as we live life in this world, we need to understand, know (and remember) our final destination. We must trust that God has freed us from sin and death. Let us look forward to this day and be reminded of this hope when we go through pain and suffering.
2. Patiently endure until you reach the final destination (v.22-25)
Until Jesus’ second return, believers still need to live in this world. We can’t just bury our head in the sand awaiting Jesus’ return. We need to patiently endure the suffering we will surely endure as long as there is injustice and wickedness in this world. To patiently endure we must…
keep strong in the Lord;
trust and place our hope in Christ; and
allow the Holy Spirit opens our eyes and reminds us of the truth.
Jesus is the greatest example of living out these two responses, for he knew his final destination and he endured through suffering for the sake of glory. We too have a real and living hope in Christ and it’s only because of his death and resurrection that we can one day share in God’s glory.
Father God,
Thank you for the grace and hope that you have provided to humanity through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I pray that as your children and believers that we place our hope and trust in you when we endure suffering while we wait to reach our final destination, which is eternity with you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen