Lesson 19
R
omans 8: 19-27, Groans, Faith, and Hope.
VV 19-22, 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
Creation awaits for Christians to be revealed. Creation had been subjected to corruption and decay after the sin of Adam. She is waiting for God to rescue her from corruption by groans of labour pains.
Genesis 3:17, ”Then to Adam He said, Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’, ”Cursed is the ground for your sake, In toil, you shall eat of it, all the days of your life”.
Colossians 3:4, ”When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory”.
V23, Not only that but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
Not only creation groans, even spirit filled Christians groans in anguish awaiting adoption, redemption, resurrection, glorification, and the second coming of Christ.
2 Cor 5:5, ”Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee”.
VV 24-27, 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Hope that is seen is not hope. We hope for what we do not see and wait patiently for it to be fulfilled. Hope produces faith, character, and perseverance. The Holy Spirit helps strengthen our weaknesses during prayer when we do not know what to pray. He searches our heart to pray in the will of God.
Romans 5:3-4, “and not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character, and character, hope”.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for sanctification through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for all that You have done for us in our lives. Help us to walk worthy of our calling, in Jesus’ name, Amen.