Useful Bible Studies > Romans Commentary > chapter 8
There is an evil power by which the devil still has some authority over every living thing in this world (Ephesians 2:2). By that evil power, the devil causes disease, pain and death.
God did not intend the world to suffer like that. These troubles exist in our world because of people’s evil deeds (Genesis chapter 3), but they affect everything in the world.
So in their troubles, all that God created offers a kind of desperate, silent prayer to God (8:22). Their desperate desire is for the day when people will again have a perfect relationship with God (Revelation 21:1-7).
In other words, on that day God will adopt his people, with the full rights of sons in his family (Romans 8:15-19; Revelation 21:7).
At the present time, we can see how God is preparing for that new age to begin. Because of Christ’s death, God offers people from every nation the opportunity to begin a right relationship with him (1:16; 5:6-10). God’s Spirit enters their lives, as the first evidence of what God will do for them (8:9-11).
In their spirits, God’s people can know the closest possible relationship with God (Hebrews 10:19-22). However, they still very much need God to save (rescue) their bodies. The weakness of the natural desires of their bodies constantly tempts them to do wrong things. In addition, their bodies may suffer pain and illness. Their bodies will certainly die (John 11:25-26).
However, God has promised them life that never ends (John 3:16). He will destroy every evil power that opposes them. His final act to save them will be to destroy the power of death (1 Corinthians 15:26 and 15:51-57). Their bodies will live again, with the kind of life than can never end (1 Corinthians 15:42-49).
Next part: Hope and patience (Romans 8:24-25)
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© 2022, Keith Simons.