Romans 8:18-27
(NIV)
18 I consider that our present
sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
19 The creation waits in eager
expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.
20 For the creation was subjected to
frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope
21 that the creation itself will be
liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children
of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has
been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who
have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as
sons, the redemption of our bodies.
24 For in this hope we were saved. But
hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?
25 But if we hope for what we do not yet
have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us
in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself
intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
27 And he who searches our hearts knows
the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with
God's will. |
the cries of creation
cursed with decay - v.20 - "the creation was
subjected to frustration"
crying for deliverance - v.19,22 - "creation
waits...creation has been groaning"
confident of coming deliverance --
"creation...will be liberated from its bondage"
the cries of Christians
present grief - v.18 - "our present
sufferings"
promised glory - v.18,19,23 - "glory...will
be revealed...our adoption...redemption"
patient groaning - v.23,24,25 -
"we...groan...wait...hope...wait for it patiently"
powerful grace - v.23 - "we...have the
firstfruits of the Spirit"
the cries of our Comforter
our spiritual investigator - v.27 -
"he...searches our hearts"
our spiritual intercessor - v.26 - "the
Spirit helps us...intercedes for us..."
our spiritual inspiration - v.23 - "we...have
the firstfruits of the Spirit"
ACTION POINTS:
- loot at your trials as temporary
- look to the Spirit for strength
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