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.
For in this hope we were saved.
Romans 8:23-24 ESV
Believers... possessing the firstfruits of the Spirit...
groan... suffer... along with all creation...
We know... things are not as they should be...
subject to the corruption of the world...
labor with...
disease...
aging...
brokenness...
God set eternity in the hearts of men...
We know things are off...
when wrinkles appear...
hair thins...
strength fails...
eyes weaken...
ears grow deaf...
The longer I walk with Him...
the more my own spirit...
longs for perfection...
Our spiritual rebirth making us sons of God...
becomes finalized upon Christ's return...
and our bodies will experience complete redemption...
For in this hope... we were saved...
Believers have their hope set...
in the completion of redemption...
A different worldview... from those who do not know Him...
Unbelievers... their only hope... is found in this world...
there is no other for them... no other vision...
no alternative...
But we... Believers... have hope in the eternal...
what is to come...
the resurrection hope of Christ Jesus...
In Him... the suffering of this world...
has meaning... purpose...
there is more to come...
But if this is it...? suffering without redemption...?
We are a pitiful lot...
If in Christ we have hope in this life only,
we are of all people most to be pitied.
1 Corinthians 15:19 ESV
Our hope in Him... will not put us to shame...
our suffering... will have its effect...
...we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering
produces endurance, and endurance produces character,
and character produces hope,
and hope does not put us to shame,
because God's love has been poured into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Romans 5:3-5 ESV
No comments:
Post a Comment