Saturday, April 18, 2009

THE 3 GROANS OF ROMANS 8

“What we suffer now is nothing
compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.
For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day
when God will reveal who his children really are.”
Romans 8:18-19 NLT
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This is incredible!! When Adam and Eve sinned, it not only affected the entire human race but “all creation was subjected to God’s curse.” v20 God in mercy and grace made provision for our forgiveness through His Son on the cross. He also gave us His Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead to live within us. Even though we will suffer a bodily death because of sin, we will be resurrected – with a glorified body – forever delivered from pain, sickness and death.

In a sense creation sees the wonderful hope God’s redeemed children have in Christ, and it “looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” v21,22 What a meaningful metaphor! Mountains, oceans and forests all groaning to be free from the curse like we as God’s children will be.

Our full freedom is yet to come. “And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering.” v23 If we had our way, all suffering would be behind us, but that won’t happen until we have our new bodies God has promised us. In the meantime, we long for and groan, as it were, for that day.

We often don’t know how to pray. What does God really want us to go through while we are on this earth? What experiences will best help shape our lives according to God’s will for us? Here is where the 3rd groan comes in. “The Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” v26 Knowing exactly what God’s will is, “the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.” v27 That leaves no doubt whatsoever, God is answering that prayer and “causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” v28

Read all of Romans 8 to get the full picture.

Let’s Pray –
Father, it’s so good to know, no matter what we suffer in this life, it can’t compare to the glory we will eventually experience in your presence because of what Christ has done.
Amen

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