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Romans 8:26
26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
In the midst of trials, sufferings, afflictions, confusion, or spiritual battle, Paul reminds us that we are experiencing something similar to birth pains as we groan for the glory that is wrought within us by the Holy Spirit. We have a great treasure, as it were, in a jar of clay (2 Cor. 4:7). In light of this, we will never know how to pray as we should -- our knowledge is too limited and our faith still only a mustard seed. And in the midst of especially bewildering and hard times, we may not know how to pray at all. Paul offers comfort, then, in that the divine Comforter whom God has given us as a deposit of our future inheritance is actually guarding us in Christ as we pray and present our requests to God (see also Philippians 4:4-7). He presents our deepest needs to the Father with the full knowledge that only God could have, as Paul teaches in the next few verses. The Spirit is indeed praying for us as the guard of our souls and working in us those prayerful groans which are fragrant offerings to God our Father.
Bookmarked 11 months ago.
Romans 8:17
17Now 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.
17Now 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.
Our hope isn't ultimately for this world. Instead, our hope is to be with God in full release from the world's hatred toward Him, our own sinfulness, and Satan's deceitful and oppressive tactics. But we have a battle to wage before we arrive at heaven's glory, and Paul is clear in stating that we *must* suffer with Jesus if we are to be glorified with Him. Put another way, Paul is saying that life in the Spirit -- in Christ -- looks much the same as Jesus's life. We should re-read the Gospels, Acts, the Old Testament, even biographies of the saints, so that we may see how real life in the Spirit plays out. Perhaps most of all, we need communion with the Spirit and fellowship with believers who walk in Spirit and Truth, through whom God will equip us for the long journey. Doesn't sound worth it? Read the Beatitudes (Matthew 5, Luke 6), or any of Jesus's sayings about the cost of discipleship (i.e. Luke 14) -- read Paul's remarks in Philippians 3:7-16. If we strive to "hold true to what we have attained" the end result is that we will walk humbly, faithfully, and justly with our God.
Bookmarked 11 months ago.
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