Reflection on Romans 8:23.26
In verses 22-27, the Apostle Paul speaks about three kinds of groaning. The groaning of the creation (v. 22), the groaning of believers (v. 23) and the groaning of the Spirit (v. 26). The creation, i.e. animate and inanimate nature, was subjected to suffering and disasters as a consequence of sin (v. 20). And so it is God’s plan that nature as such will likewise be redeemed and transformed. There will be a new heaven and a new earth, everything will be restored according to the will of God (cf. 2Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15; Rev 21:1-5) and the faithful children of God will receive their full inheritance.
Rom 8:23 “…even we ourselves groan…”
Although the believers have the Holy Spirit and His blessing, they groan within themselves, eagerly waiting for full redemption. There are three reasons therefor:
1) In spite of being fully redeemed by the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, we fail to live by faith to such extent that we could fully taste this redemption. We continue to sin and need to repent time and again to our last breath. Groaning is an expression of our sorrow for sins and our failure to love God despite our eager desire to love Him.
2) As the believers live in a sinful world, which grieves their spirit, they continually suffer pain and sorrow. Groaning expresses their deep grief under the circumstances (cf. 2Cor 5:2-4).
3) They groan, eagerly waiting for full redemption and for the fullness of the Holy Spirit, which they will obtain when they will be raised from the dead. They groan, waiting for the glory that is to be revealed to them as well as for that day when God will give them their full rights as His children.
Rom 8:26 “…the Spirit makes intercession for us…”
As for the working of the Holy Spirit at the moment when He helps the believers in prayer, let us make three important remarks:
1) A child of God has two divine intercessors. Christ makes intercession in heaven (v. 34; Hebr 7:25) and the Holy Spirit on earth.
2) Prayer with sighs reveals that the Holy Spirit makes intercession with groanings in the hearts of the believers.
3) Spiritual desires of the believers have their source in the Holy Spirit who dwells in their hearts. The Holy Spirit Himself groans and sighs within them, waiting eagerly for the final day of redemption (v. 23-25). He makes intercession with the Father for our needs according to the will of God (v. 27).
Verses 23 and 26 speak about the Holy Spirit dwelling within us and helping us in our weakness.
This year is a jubilee one, a year of a spiritual and psychological struggle for Ukraine, lest it should lapse into a system the fruit of which is autogenocide. We concentrate our efforts on spiritual resurrection. Who will work this miracle? The Holy Spirit! But He is seeking people through whom He may work. Let the Holy Spirit pray in you with groanings that cannot be uttered!
Download: Reflection on Romans 8:23.26
