You have this wrong. that is NOT what Paul is saying.
He didn't say that we shouldn't hope for salvation because "already" have it.
He is saying that we HAVE hope - and what good is hope if we already have something that we are hoping for? [/QUOTE
Rom. 8:22-24
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?
We are
NOT completed yet. We are a
project in the
works (Phil. 1:6) . . .[/QUOTE]
Point is...each step along the way, things become accomplished....
From the time a man is carnally born...
His journey, to learning about God, about Christ...about the steps we take...to step on the path...or walk away from...
As we follow each step we accomplish...
They are done.
There is nothing we can physically see.
We learn what is necessary to accomplish each step.
The accomplishing IS effected by the Power of God.
It's taught in Scripture.....IF...you do this...
THEN....the Lord will do that.
Each individual knows what he does.
As does the Lord....IF the man hears...Then he will be enlightend....given Faith.
If the man Keeps hearing...his faith increased.
And so on through each step and order of the journey of a Carnal man.
As steps become more intense...meaning...
From just causally listening, saying oh ya okay,,,I can believe that...eh nah don't believe that...eh maybe, IDK...believe, doubt, deny, believe.....the Disciples did that, and so do most people.
These people CAN fall away.
TO...I am ready to give my life to the Lord...
Which when this is accomplished, it is for ever....not by our power, by His Power.
And the conversion, changes many things IN a man.....and we don't SEE the changes..
We don't SEE the soul being saved, or the spirit being born, or the Lords Spirit...
We trust the Lord IS faithful and true....the IF we do...He Shall do what He said.
While WE CAN see our same old flesh body...
We say....well, He ain't done yet....
But the thing IS....It IS already Spiritually Done. When the Lord speaks It is DONE, whether or not we can "carnally" see it.
Already converted?? It's done. You ARE a son of God. WE WAIT TO SEE. But it's already done spiritually. You are IN the Lamb's book of Life. Which IS, Because YOU have already been testified of IN Heaven. You are IN the record book, of WHO belongs to Christ and He shall be coming to redeem you body, AND THEN YOU WILL SEE YOUR God , AS HE IS, because you will BE "in His Likeness". Your name can NEVER be blotted out of the book of Life. The HS can NEVER depart from you.
We wait for the "official" ceremony..the marriage...but the fact is...according to God who is Spirit...those converted are already accounted...
....sons of God...
Gal 4:6
Gal 3:26
Rom 8:14
You are effectively, waiting to see, We all are..
But you are suppose to read what applies to a man ALREADY accomplished IN the Lord, and KNOW "spiritually", It's Done. And shall REMAIN for ever.
Men in the OT, waited to see...God said..wait, and watch and see if it doesn't come to pass.
Jesus in the NT, told men....I'm telling you ahead of time...(because He was going to be leaving the earth)...but telling them ahead of time so they would KNOW, when it DID come to pass....it was Because of Him.
Everthing in Scirpture does not apply to every single man.
IF you have accomplished becoming saved...born again....what applies to an unsaved...not born again man...does not apply to you.