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12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. 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 For 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 to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. (Romans 8:12-25 NIV Bible)
Yesterday's text was all about being born in the Spirit. Jesus spoke about this new life from above to all who sought it and accepted it. While Nicodemus did not fully understand it at the time, Jesus made it clear about what that meant; trusting in God and living in God so that the weight of the world does not pull us down. The Spirit assists us in gaining spiritual strength to rise above and beyond the limited and fatal attractions of the flesh. Today, Paul is addressing the same manner, but he presents it as an obligation. Out of love for the life, Jesus has given us we should live our lives in a way that is free from the flesh. Paul knows through the revelation Jesus gave him that living in the flesh only leads to death; the life in the Spirit leads to life. The Spirit helps us put to death the sinful things our bodies may desire, and brings us life. Paul states it clearly "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God, not slaves. We are children of the Most High which means we should not be governed by fear; our adoption as God's kids makes us full heirs and helps our witness be all about God and His love. As children of God we will share in the sufferings of Christ while alive in this body, but the day will come when we will share in Christ's glory. Paul cannot begin to compare the two, for glory is way better.
For Paul this drama of God's plan is to compare it to childbirth. Creation, Paul says, has been groaning as if in childbirth pain. The time for birth, Paul says, is now upon us, and it involves all of us, for we all have a part to play in it; as we await our adoption to sonship and daughtership, which will be when we get the redemption of our bodies. This is part of our salvation; an unseen hope where the truly amazing part of life will present itself for our delight and eternal life. And in the meantime, we await patiently this coming glory of us with Christ Jesus. As life will continue to throw to us challenges and obstacles, Paul reminds us that we face them not alone, but with the presence of Christ Jesus. Let us fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18).
PRAYER: Loving God, Thank You for the privilege of being called Your children and heirs to Your kingdom. Help us to live by the leading of Your Spirit, putting to death the misdeeds of the flesh, and embracing the freedom that comes from our adoption into Your family. In moments of suffering and longing, remind us of the hope we have in Jesus; for it is in His name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Let us actively seek to live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
I love you and I thank God for you,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
