February 2, 2008 - Romans 8 : 18-27

This passage describes a confused Christian. The weakness of this Christian is the impatience that he has with God. We "groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies". It is easy for Chrisitans to grow impatient, especially those who have known Christ for a longer period of time. We take for granted God's grace and become selfish in this heavily one-sided relationship with God. God seems to favor a relationship with us a lot more than we even attempt to show him love. 

So you know Christ and you know that salvation is on its way. Verse 24: "For in this hope we were saved. But hoped that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?" This is a trap that most Christians fall into. It is not by hope that we are saved, it is by faith. Hope is the accompaniment of salvation. We have faith and know that Christ is coming back, not because we hope for it. Hope implies an insecurity where as faith defines a definite belief that Christ is going to return. 

Because we are stupid humans (I am a uber stupid human) and sway towards the uncertainty, we have doubts at times. And it can't be helped because Christians are always challeneged while living in this world. Luckily ".. 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. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will". The Holy Spirit will continue to guide us on our journey to Christ. This verse was so refreshing to me. Even though we cannot understand the Spirit at times, it will always be there because our goals are the same. 

Amen.