In Romans 8:1-11 Paul has already explained that the believer has freedom from God’s judgment because he is in Christ. In 8:12-17 he explained why the believer has freedom from defeat because the Spirit indwells him. Now in 8:18-27 he will go on to explain that the believer has freedom from disappointment because God will keep His promises. The believer has no fear of condemnation because he is clothed with the righteousness of Christ. He has no obligation to obey the flesh because he is indwelled by the Spirit of God, and he will have no frustration with the plan of God in his life because he will share in the glory of God. The foundation has been laid for a life of freedom, victory, and fulfillment through Christ, and the believer can have confidence that God will finish what He started. “In hope we have been saved,” and that hope will not disappoint.
When sin entered the human race in the Garden of Eden, the curse of death entered with it. Now we live in a universe that is staggering under the weight of that curse, and the human race is suffering in this sin-cursed world. Sickness, death, natural disaster, conflict, and poverty (to name just a few of the ills that plague humankind) have been designed by God in such a way to make us weary of this world and to seek for lasting satisfaction in Him beyond our mortal existence (life). He promises the believer life after death and a home in glory to give us hope in the midst of our suffering. Every affliction of life, no matter how long or how severe, is only temporary. The glory that awaits every believer outweighs even the worst burden we must bear in this life time. God promises that the reward will be worth the wait. We can rejoice that the curse of sin was removed through the blood of Christ, and the glories of heaven will surpass our wildest imagination.
Vs. 22: Creation groans [Labor Pains]
Eventually creation will crash, and the universe will collapse because of the curse that God has placed upon it. Creation is groaning under the weight of the curse, but like a woman in labor gives birth to a new born infant, a new creation is being born out of the chaos of destruction at the end of this age. Every earthquake, eruption, and hurricane is a reminder that this present earth cannot last forever and that God has something better for those who have Jesus as their Savior.
Vs. 23: We groan [Waiting Pains]
We groan with the sadness of life, and we are weary with the battle against the forces of darkness. Our souls have already been redeemed, and we are waiting for the redemption of our bodies when this house of clay we have had since birth will be gloriously changed. Those who now have the Spirit of Christ living in them will one day have a body like that of Christ when He rose from the dead. The Holy Spirit has been given as the guarantee that all of God’s promises will be fulfilled.
Vs. 26: The Spirit groans [Praying Pains]
Everything about the believer’s walk is based on the hope that God will keep His promises, and so the believer lives by faith in what cannot now be seen. Life is filled with suffering, and when we don’t know what to do or how to pray, the Holy Spirit prays for us. He knows exactly how to pray, and He can give us strength to endure.
