Page 143 - Biblical Theology Textbook - masters

automatically saved, then it is logical to make sure no one ever hears the gospel—because then there
would be a chance they will reject it and be condemned.

The Bible is clear that those who perish without Christ will face an eternity in hell. Jesus’ mandate to
evangelize the whole world is still in force. People need to call on the name of the Lord, but “how . . .
can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they
have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone
preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:14–15). Those who have never heard about Jesus Christ
desperately need to hear, and that caused Paul to exclaim, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1
Corinthians 9:16).

Our Bodies will be Redeemed in the Future

The older people get, the more aches and pains they suffer daily. We
are all dying slowly over the span of our lives. Our bodies wear out,
our sight gets dim, our back aches, our muscles tire, our skin wrinkles,
our hair falls out, and we groan. The Bible says that the creation is
also groaning along with us. Pain, sickness, difficulties, challenges,
sadness and hurt are all a part of life and dying. The older you get, the less you have to look forward to,
correct? No, because a day is coming when God will redeem our bodies.

According to Romans 8:18-25 there is coming a future redemption. For those who have received Christ
by grace through faith, these verses promise that our bodies will be redeemed.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory
that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of
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the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who
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subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the
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freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers
the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also, we ourselves, having the first
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fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as
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sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope;
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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.

The sober truth about this age is that as long as it lasts, all creation including Christians will be groaning
under the burden of unredeemed bodies. Let’s say it again: the redemption of our bodies (v. 23) is not
yet a present reality. We must WAIT for it. Until then we groan. We get tired and sick and discouraged.

All the futility of creation attacks not only the unbelieving world, but us too who are indwelt by the Holy
Spirit. “We ourselves who have the first fruits of the Holy Spirit groan inwardly as we wait for adoption
as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” This means that the Holy Spirit in this age does not completely
take away the groaning of unredeemed bodies. He is the first fruits, the seal, and the down-payment of
redemption. But he does not in this age take away all pain and suffering and frustration.

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