Hope in Jesus: Romans 8

“For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it” (Rms. 8:24-25, NASB).

We have been living for over a year in a crisis. The COVID-19 coronavirus virus pandemic has necessitated some drastic changes in our lives. There are very few if any that have not been affected by the pandemic. While scientists have been working on an effective vaccine to stop the spread of the virus, there are some who refuse to take the shot because they do not believe that it is effective. Others believe that the vaccine has the potential to cause more harm than good. Whether or not a person receives the vaccine is a matter of hope. When we say hope we mean faith, trust, expectation, and desire. How do these words apply to the one that is deciding whether or not to take the vaccine?

When Paul writes to the church in Rome, he writes to affirm their faith in Jesus. Paul wants the church to be sure of their relationship with Jesus the Nazarene that died on a cross to make possible the reconciliation between God and human beings. Paul writes to tell the church that in Christ Jesus they no longer wish for a better life. Rather, in Jesus they can have a realistic expectation of a renewed relationship with God. There is nothing in their former lives that can make void the work of salvation accomplished in the death of Jesus on the cross. They must desire to be saved from their sins. They must believe that Jesus is the only sufficient sacrifice that God accepts as atonement for the sins of the world. Since they have accepted Jesus to be their savior they can trust Christ to keep His promises; especially the promise of removal of condemnation of sins and the certainty of eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16, NASB). With these things in mind, let us more closely examine what Paul is talking about when he says that in Christ we have hope.

First, we must consider what we are hoping for. Some of us have lost hope because we expect something from Jesus that Jesus is not offering. In Mark we read that two disciples of Jesus approached Jesus with a request. They said, “‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you’” (Mk. 10:35). Now, for certain we can say that these brothers, James and John are being selfish; maybe greedy, or maybe simply ambitious. Regardless of their motives, it is Jesus’ response that we take notice of here. “And He said to them, ‘What do you want Me to do for you’” (v. 36)? As we read verses 38-40, we discover that the disciples are asking for something that comes with a price. They must drink the cup that Jesus drinks. Also, Jesus will not decide where anyone will sit in the kingdom of God. We must be careful that our expectations are realistic according to the determinate purpose of God.

Jesus wants us to acknowledge our expectations of Him. In Luke, Jesus is leaving the town of Jericho followed by a large crowd. On the side of the road is a man that is a blind beggar calling out to Jesus. Jesus hears the man and tells the people to bring the man to Him. When the man is brought to Jesus, He asks the man, “‘what do you want Me to do for you?’ And the blind man said to Him, ‘Rabboni, I want to regain my sight’” (Mk. 10:51). Again, Jesus is determining if the man’s desire is within the boundaries of His purpose. Jesus tells the man that his faith had made his sight possible. The man called to Jesus because it was his hope that Jesus would heal him.

A second consideration that we must take into account is who or what we are hoping in. We have seen in the two previous examples that the disciples and the blind man are hoping to receive something from Jesus. The disciples want the choicest seats, but their expectations are not within Jesus’ authority. Many Christians today are not having their prayers answered because they are praying for things that serve no purpose in building the kingdom of God. People are being led to believe that God wants to bless them with material things so that they can live the good life. However, this is not the teaching of Jesus. Jesus tells us that we are not to be overly concerned about food, clothing, and other material things. God supplies these things to all people, the just and the unjust (Matt. 6:25-32). Jesus tells us what our priority is to be. “‘But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you’” (Matt. 6:33, NASB).

We must consider the context of what Paul was talking about when he said that we have hope in Jesus Christ. Exactly what is Paul referring to? What is Paul telling the church in Rome that they can expect from Christ? Who is Jesus and why do we need Him? How can we receive what God promises to give to those that believe in Jesus?

Paul writes to affirm that Jesus is the sufficient and acceptable sacrifice for our sins. We must be forgiven of our sins if we are to be reconciled to God. The world needs a savior because no one can save themselves. The Gentiles are lost because they have rejected God, and God has given them over to do what their own minds tell them to do. They are totally ignorant of God, His purpose, His plans and His ways. God has not given them the law that informs them of what God requires of a person to be righteousness (Rms. 1). The Jews are given the law but they are unable to keep the law. They may have head knowledge of what the law says, but they do not have the ability of their own to do what the law says do. In fact, they do the same wrong things that the Gentiles do (Rms. 2). God’s solution for the sins of the world is found in Jesus Christ (Rms. 3).

We can be saved by the blood of Jesus only if we believe in Him. Abraham provides us with an example that our relationship with God is established by faith, and not by works (Rms. 4). We are justified; that is we are brought into a right relationship with God by faith in Jesus Christ. Hostilities that separate us from God are removed and by God’s grace we are now at peace with God (5:1-2). Romans 6 tell us that baptism in water symbolizes our baptism in the Holy Spirit. Our old man is buried, and the new man is resurrected. In chapter 7 Paul describes the conflict between our old man ruled by the flesh and our new man that is lived by the Spirit. Ultimately the Spirit wins the war. The old man perishes and the new man lives in us today and finally in the kingdom of God where only that which is pure in God’s eyes will live.

Chapter 8 begins with a concluding statement that follows the war described in chapter seven. “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death” (8:1-2, NASB). Thus, in the remainder of the letter Paul describes how one who is saved ought to live their life as a citizen of the kingdom of God on earth as they anticipate eternal life with God in His kingdom. Our new relationship with Jesus gives us a new perspective on life. Our relationship with other believers especially as well as our relationship with the unsaved are different now. We do things God’s way; the way that Jesus taught while walking in the earth. The Holy Spirit reminds us of Jesus’ teaching which leads to a new mind, new attitudes, and new behaviors.

Finally, we live with the hope of eternal life with Jesus and the Father in heaven forever. We have hope because the culmination of God’s purpose and plan for us is not yet fully realized. We do not yet see what the end will be. Yet, we trust Jesus. We expect to be with Him. We desire to live with Him. We believe that He is both willing and able to keep His promise. We have hope in Jesus.