Groaning within ourselves with expectancy and hope

Romans 8:23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. “And not only this.” Remember yesterday we were encouraged by the fact that all creation is groaning with the pains of childbirth, awaiting the liberating power when the sons of God are revealed when Jesus returns. Paul then added that we believers also groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption, the redemption of our body. Notice that again, Paul didn’t use the plural “bodies” as one might expect if he is referring to the sons of God as a group. We wait eagerly for the redemption of the body that we all are a part of—the body of Christ, the Son of God. It’s the revealing of the body of Christ that is being formed in the womb of all creation that we anticipate with great joy and hope. As I said yesterday, living to love with Jesus is how the redeemed body grows and develops. So again today, we are encouraged by the reality of this verse. Do you groan within yourself as you suffer the pains of growing to maturity? Are you eagerly waiting for the completion of Jesus’ work of love in your life? This groaning is another evidence of the witness of the spirit of adoption which we have received. Let’s not miss that this isn’t a groaning of hopelessness and defeat, it’s a groaning of expectancy and hope. Consider this: the moment Jesus returns, if we are alive, we will all be changed into the perfect image of Christ (1 Cor. 15:52) and put on the imperishable body (1 Cor. 15:53), an immortal body, and we will be revealed with Him in all of His glory. This is as sure to happen as Jesus’ first coming happened. So today as we love others, anytime you suffer the pains of childbirth, difficulties, putting to death self, and bearing the weight of the weaknesses and sins of your brothers and sisters, instead of complaining, blaming, and rejecting them, groan with a sense of hope that a day is coming when we will all be birthed into the glory of the sons of God. Let the hope of that reality fuel the flame of your love—that’s what fuels the flame of Jesus’ love for us. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com