How much time do we have?

In verse 24 of your passage the word "saved" is an aorist tense in the Greek, which means action at a point of time, usually (not always) in the past. There is no warrant whatsoever for making it a future event here. The hope we have is a present hope concerning an event in the future. We have present (not future) salvation through that present (not future) hope.

In 1 Cor. 1:18 it says, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." The word "saved" here is a present passive participle. That's present, not future! We are saved in the present from sin and from Hell.

In 1 John 5:13 it says, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." The word "have" here is present active indicative in the Greek, normally meaning continuous action in the present. Those who believe in Jesus Christ have already, right now, eternal life.:type:

 

The parts of speech outlined by John of Japan are critical to any understanding of scripture. Reading the Greek "underneath" the English, as well. Parts of speech are critical to every translation. It is frustrating that the translators, in many cases, fail to capture the depth of a word, sentence, paragraph, verse............ Hence we must study to show ourselves approved. Read that last sentence again! Think of the enormous implications of "ourselves approved." Whoa!

Here is my Romans 8:20-25 commentary......

20 Meanwhile (read what led up verse 20), humanity is confused. God made it this way (locked us out of the garden) in the calm, confident assurance that eventually (by the Cross) we would be set free from decay, having believed, then share in the glorious freedom, here & now and hereafter, of His born-again children.

We know, of course, that humankind is groaning and is in pain, like a woman about to give birth. Take heart! The Holy Spirit has already assured we Believers about our status: Saved! The message is there for the world to read, as well. Every person knows in the heart that God exists. Reason enough to search the scriptures!

In spite of being saved, we groan silently, as we wait for God to show us Part Two, His eternity, when we pass from death unto life, when this mortal puts on the immortal! That is when our bodies will also be set free, just as our spirit already is. It is this calm, confident assurance that sustains us.

Now -- if we already have what we are assured of, there is no need to keep on hoping for it (looking for it, wondering about it, questioning it).

On the other hand, since we long now for Part Two, our home, our mansion in Heaven, which we have not yet seen, we are to wait patiently for it. :applause:

 

Amen, genesis12! :thumbsup:

stanleyg, have you capitulated? You haven't posted here in a couple of days.