Freedom for the Future

May 8, 2022 Background Scripture: Romans 8:18 - 30 Lesson Passage: Romans 8:18 - 30 Adult Christians have learned the value of delayed gratification as it concerned a formal education, learning a trade, or honing a new career skill. We did not enjoy the benefits until the process was completed. Some of us had to forgo getting a decent job and earning wages until the process was completed. Some of us missed vacations, trips to exotic places, the ability to buy some neat stuff— including a car and having our very own place to live. All of that made waiting difficult from an emotional standpoint. However, after the process was finished, we began to experience some of what we denied ourselves earlier. Even more than that, the waiting allowed us to complete a program of study, learn a trade, or gain a new skillset. In essence, the delay had provided us with a much better future than we previously could have hoped for. We were eventually grateful when we obtained those things we wanted in the past. The potential for other blessings which were previously unavailable to us had been added to us because we chose to wait. Delayed gratification is one of the best lessons to be learned by an adult. On the other hand, salvation is much better than delayed gratification. Salvation allows us to be grateful today and abundantly blessed in the future. Salvation matters today, but its ultimate reward is in the future. That's one of the messages of today's topic. Our recent lessons have examined various aspects of freedom for those who are in Christ Jesus. Yes, there is much gained today when Jesus is accepted as one's personal savior. New insights, attitudes, perspectives, and dimensions of joy are all experienced by Christians. None of those things remove all burdens and hardships that afflict people in this world. In this life, we have tribulations, disappointments, and setbacks. These are experienced by Christians as well as non-Christians. Salvation in Christ Jesus does not exempt us from the trials and tribulations of this world. How Christians handle disappointments, setbacks, trials, and tribulations should be different than how non-Christians handle the same. But what about the sufferings that come because of our faith? Christians do suffer at times when non-Christians don't. This is more evident in some countries than it is in America. How do Christians know when enough is enough when it comes to suffering? We don't unless we practice seeking God for guidance and learn to listen to His voice. When difficulties come, we want to know the details of what God has planned for us in the future. However, faith demands that we believe everything God has said about the future and trust Him with the outcome. That is the heart of Paul's message in today's text. Christians have a future built on the precious promises of God. We believe that the future God promises is so great and glorious that it makes the sufferings of this present time insignificant by comparison. Nothing we suffer today will take anything away from the promises of God for our future. Every now and then God strengthens us by giving us a foretaste of what's in store for the future. This brings us an internal peace and joy that is unexplainable considering what may be going on around us. The personal experience of salvation gave us a foretaste, i.e., the Spirit as the firstfruits. So how should we handle situations today since we have been given a foretaste of the future? Christians should embrace God's promises for the future. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit in us, we possess the proof of a future freedom. And even nature awaits its unveiling. Robert C. Hudson April 23, 2022