3/26/10 Romans 8:14-23 Adopted Into His Suffering

3/26- Romans 8:14-23


14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba,Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 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 children 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 freedom and glory 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, the redemption of our bodies.

Thoughts: We are adopted into Christ’s family as we share in his sufferings (8:17). In fact, to share in the glory of his family, we must be willing to share in the suffering of his family. But the present sufferings are not comparable to the great glory we shall receive from Him. In fact all creation groans for the day when the suffering will cease and the glory begins. We ourselves groan for this- the redemption of our bodies. When our bodies are finally redeemed, it means our adoption is complete, and our inheritance is entered into. When we are sick, we ask, “How long, O Lord before all this pain and suffering is over?” It comes when we are redeemed.



Prayer: How long, O Lord, until you come and set things right? How long will the pain and suffering last? Help me to hope in you- my true and best inheritance.