Eclipse of Kingdoms (Part 3) Romans 8 on the Already / Not Yet
We live in the wonderful and frustrating tension between two very different worlds. We have already been rescued from the kingdom of darkness (Colossians 1:13), but still are called to "strenuously contend" to "admonish and teach everyone with all wisdom so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ." (See Colossians 1:28-29). Here we are, in the tension between the already and not-yet.
Romans 8 celebrates the "already' side of our salvation.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. (Romans 8:9)
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:15-17)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 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. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30)
These verses contain some of the most clear, most loved, most celebrated facts of our salvation. We are chosen children! We are filled with the Spirit! We are loved! Forever!
In the middle of this celebration, Paul takes time to reminds us of the "not yet." He pauses to tell us that we, along with creation, "groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies" (Romans 8:23) There will be times when we don't know how to pray.
Imagine that. Loved, chosen children will be so weak and frustrated, that they can't find words to ask for help. God, the Holy Spirit, can intercept these feelings of frustration and translate them into prayers of groaning ... but still ... all we can do is groan in a God-ward direction.
That feels so weak, especially when surrounded by so many dazzling announcements of our elevated status in Jesus. You’d think un-condemned, free, Spirit-filled children of God would walk through any affliction with a smile. Wouldn’t you expect the church to be filled with spiritual Supermen & Wonder Women, overpowering any obstacle with cinematic flair?
Romans 8, along with many other passages, reminds us that the "not yet" is still terribly real. To deny the "not yet" is to be unfaithful both to the Word of God and to our experience. You are God's child, and you will struggle so deeply that even words of prayer cannot be found. Both facts are true. Both are stated in the Bible. You are already ... and you are not yet.
I'll leave you with one last passage. Paul, in Philippians 3, talks about what he already has. He celebrates that his own accomplishments are filthy rags compared to the righteousness he had been given by faith in Christ. After highlighting his "already", he commits himself to work through the "not yet," stating:
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ” — Philippians 3:12-14
With You;
Pastor Tim
