Hi and welcome back. In our previous episode we talked about how Adam’s sin not only affected humanity but it affected all of creation.
God’s original plan did not include famines and floods and predatory animals. In the beginning man and beast lived in harmony. The whole planet was a place of tranquility. But as we said, sin changed everything. Our prayers are directed toward the day when Christ will return to reign and everything will be made right again. All of creation will be restored to its former state before sin entered the world. What an amazing day that will be. So let’s pick up where we left off with,
Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
All of creation is in anguish as if in the pains of childbirth.
There is nothing pleasant about it, but as a mother is expecting, she anticipates the relief and joy that comes with that newborn child. So does all of creation await the coming Glory.
John 16:21-22 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
In this particular verse we can’t definitely say when our Lord was referring to, when he said, “I will see you again.”
He could have been referring to his resurrection, or Pentecost, or even his second coming. But, in all three cases the result is rejoicing and a joy that cannot be taken away.
Romans 8:23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
The Holy Spirit is the first-fruits. The Holy Spirit is the down payment or the guarantee that the full inheritance will be ours.
Ephesians 1:13-14 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
As Born again believers we are already adopted into God’s family.
But in a broader sense our adoption will be complete when we receive our glorified bodies. In other words, our spirits and souls have already been redeemed, and our bodies will be redeemed at the rapture.
Romans 8:24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?
Our Hope is not in this life.
We are all still struggling with sin, suffering, disease, and death. If we had been free from all of this then we wouldn’t be hoping for our future. The hope we hold is not based on temporary things, but on things of eternal value.
2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Romans 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Those who put their hope in the things of this world more often than not have little patience.
They want what they want when they want it. They seek instant gratification. Whether the rewards they seek are financial gain, notoriety, or the pleasures of sex, they fall far short of what our Lord and Savior would want for them. So as believers, we don’t settle for less. We wait patiently with anticipation for the reward that awaits us.
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
The very thought of praying to the Creator of the universe is overwhelming.
Sometimes we don’t feel adequate to the task of prayer. Often we pray selfishly and narrow-mindedly. But the Holy Spirit comes alongside us and intercedes for us with groans when we are at a loss for words. Sometimes a groan from the spirit is all that’s needed. For God knows the condition of your heart.
Romans 8:27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
The Spirit is in tune with God.
He can only pray according to the Father’s will. That means that His groans and His prayers are always for our good. This is made clear in the following verse.
Romans 8:28 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.
Most of us have heard this verse before. We have heard it, but many times we don’t believe it. So many times tragedies and sufferings leave us wondering where the good is. It is often the case, however, that God allows certain things to happen in order to conform us to the image of His Son. God is molding us into someone He can use for His glory.
Isaiah 64:8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
So when the hard times come and they will, we need to submit to what God is molding us into.
We can either be rigid and not bend or we can be pliable in our Father’s hand, so that he can make us into a willing vessel.
Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
This verse starts out talking about a prior knowledge of us. He foreknew us, in other words before the creation God knew us inside and out. Along with that knowledge he preordained those who would come to that saving Grace and be conformed to the image of Christ. That image speaks of a glorified body like His and we will be morally like Him. We will be blameless in His sight.
Ephesians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
No one knows us as intimately as God.
Knowing that, should encourage us to always be open with our heavenly Father. God knew the path you were going to take before you took your first step. So step out in faith and walk with Him and see what a loving God can do in your life.
This brings us to the end of another episode. One final thought. If you see someone or you know someone who is homeless, destitute, or just down on their luck please take the time to share an encouraging word with them. Sometimes a little kindness is all someone needs to make it through another day.
I’d like to thank you for listening and as always may you have a week full of opportunities to share this good news with those that need to hear it.