July 25, 2022 GROANING WITHIN
Romans 8:19, 21-25 “For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.” “that the creation itself will also be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruit of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees? But we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”
The life we live now is not the best there is; the best is yet to come. We have a tendency to be focused on our lives here on earth more than what God has in store for us in the future. Yet, we are well aware of the trials and tribulations among the peoples of the world and among the natural world as well. We experience hurricanes, forest fires, volcanos, pollution, droughts, floods-and the list goes on. We have a basic desire, a yearning, and we groan within ourselves for things to be as God designed. All of the trials in this life and the disruptions in the natural world are a result of the sin of man; God’s original design and plans for mankind, and the natural creation, is not what not what we see today. The good news is that God has plans to put a stop to all that is wrong; He hears our groaning. We cannot imagine what glorious things will take place when Jesus returns to earth; at His return, things will immediately be made right. At His return, the sons of God-believers-will be revealed and their full adoption will be consummated; we will see our Father and our bodies will be redeemed-we get a new body! The revealing of the sons of God is a big deal-bigger than we can comprehend. We will be free from all corruption and will experience the glory God. When He returns, even nature will be made right. However, we can live in victory even in a world that has lost its way, and at the same time groan for the things God has in store for us. Our hope is not based on what we see and not based on what we think we can accomplish-our hope is based on what we do not see-but on believing that God will fulfill His promises to those who love Him. We have the Spirit of God living in us now, but it is the ‘first fruit of the Spirit;’ the Holy Spirit in us is a down-payment, or guarantee, as proof that we have been purchased by God; any day Jesus will come to take full possession-He is coming for His bride! Yes-we experience trials and we groan for things to be made right-and they will be. Keep enduring, and keep your focus on our Redeemer coming again.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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