A Thought For Your Christian Journey:

Groaning Glory

Romans 8:17-30 ¹⁷ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. ¹⁸ For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, ²¹ Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. ²³ And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. ²⁴ For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? ²⁵ But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. ²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. ²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

In the first part of Romans 8 Paul reveals that we are free from all condemnation in Christ Jesus.  The price has been paid in full.  There is no more guilt, there is no more punishment; we have been fully liberated from the punishment required by our sin.  Why?  Because Jesus paid the price we owed.  Jesus also gave us the Holy Spirit so that we might know the abundant life God wants us to experience.  Praise god fro his deliverance. 

While we have been liberated and set free from our condemnation, we still often feel like we are still condemned.  Why?  Because we are still in life's struggle.  Our trails and temptations arise to remind us of our mortality.  They seek to bring us back under the guilt and condemnation of our sin.  These trails and temptations say to us, you are not really free from your sin, for if you were you would not find yourself in this continuing struggle.  But is that really the case?

God warns us that as Christians we will have trials in our lives.  We will find ourselves grappling in a spiritual battle, and the mortal battle will clearly continues to rage all around us.  When we accepted our Lord Jesus Christ, God did not just remove us from earth’s struggles.  Yet, in the midst of life's struggles we can still know the life, and liberty that God has already given us.  How? 

By allowing the Holy Spirit of God to fill us and intercede for us.  Life's struggles do not always reveal that you are sinful, unworthy, and neglected by God.  But according to our text they remind us of the greatness of our Lord's grace and provision.  It is the Spirit of God that reminds us and assures us that we are the children of God (vs 16).  It is the Spirit of God that renews our hope and helps us to remain steadfast in every trial and tribulation.  The real wonder is that in the midst of our struggles, when doubts arise in our minds, God never leaves us nor forsakes us. 

Do you find yourself uncertain about whether your current struggle really is working good in your life.  Paul clearly reminds you that this is not a question generated by the Spirit of God, but is the response of your carnal flesh.  The remedy to your doubt is simple, renew yourself in the Holy Spirit of God and the assurance that He gives.  Walk in the Spirit of God and know that your are His and He is yours.  Allow the Holy Spirit of God to intercede for you, and to assure of the incredible, unconditional love of God.

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