Growing up, I heard a lot of messages on this scripture and they were all about something that will happen in the future. And we were also taught to groan and travail in prayer to see the fulfillment of this scripture. This idea of groaning also comes from this verse...
*[[Rom 8:22]] KJ2000* For we know that the whole creation
groans and travails in pain together until now.
But you see, if this scripture is not looked at in its
proper context, then like me, one is likely to waste so much time praying for
something they already are. So the question is, "Why did they groaning and
travail?"
The words 'groan' and 'travail' are words normally used to
describe the birth pangs a woman go through before delivery. So Paul tells us
they were groaning to be ADOPTED as sons of God.
*[[Rom 8:23]] BSB* Not only so, but we ourselves, who have
the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our
adoption as sons.....
If they were waiting to be adopted as sons, then it means
they were not sons yet. What were they then? Galatians tells us they were
slaves under the Law...
*[[Gal 4:3]] ISV* It was the same way with us. While we were
children, we were slaves to the basic principles of the world.
That's why Jesus came - to redeem them from the Law and
adopt them as sons...
*[[Gal 4:4-5/NET]]* 4. But when the appropriate time had
come, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5. to redeem
those who were under the law, so that we may be adopted as sons with full
rights.
Again, it is only a son who has the full right to set a
slave free. So Jesus said... *[[Joh 8:36]] NET* So IF THE SON sets you free,
you will be really free.
But what did adoption as sons mean to them? Paul went a step
further to tell us that it was the redemption or salvation of their bodies.
*[[Rom 8:23]] ISV* However, not only the creation, but we
who have the first fruits of the Spirit also groan inwardly AS WE EAGERLY AWAIT
OUR ADOPTION, THE REDEMPTION OF OUR BODIES.
The redemption of their bodies had to do with their
translation into Christ (the Kingdom of God). They were identified with the
first Adam and they were yearning to be identified with the last Adam. So Paul
tells the Church in Corinth....
*[[1Co 15:47-49/KJ2000]]*
47. The first man is of the earth, made of dust: the second man is the
Lord from heaven. 48. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and
as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49. And AS WE HAVE
BORNE THE IMAGE OF THE EARTHY, WE SHALL ALSO BEAR THE IMAGE OF THE HEAVENLY.
*WHY DID THEY NEED THE GLORIOUS BODIES?*
They had been identified with the sin and death system of
the first Adam. Adam has introduced corruption but corruption can not inherit
the kingdom neither can we put new wine into old wine skins.
*[[1Co 15:50]] KJ2000* Now this I say, brethren, that flesh
and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit
incorruption.
*HOW AND WHEN WAS IT GOING TO HAPPEN?*
The creation was longing to shed off the corrupted system
the first Adam had introduced and be clothed with immortality (the
incorruptible life of Papa God). But this was going to happen at the second
coming of Christ (which did happen in 70AD). This is how Paul put it....
*[[1Co 15:51-53/KJ2000]]* 51. Behold, I show you a mystery;
We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52. IN A MOMENT, IN THE
TWINKLING OF AN EYE, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the
dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53. For this
corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
*HOW DID THEY COME TO DESIRE GLORIOUS BODIES?*
You see, death was reigning in the creation Bcos of Adam's
sin (Rom 5:12 - 14). But Jesus came to abolish death and put the spot light on
the God-life. That's what caused them to desire it....
*[[2Ti 1:10]] KJV* But is now made manifest by the appearing
of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath BROUGHT LIFE
AND IMMORTALITY TO LIGHT THROUGH THE GOSPEL:
So the coming of Christ in AD70 was the fulfillment of this
desire...
*[[1Co 15:54]] WMTH* But when this perishable nature has put
on what is imperishable, and this mortality has put on immortality, then will
the words of Scripture be fulfilled, »DEATH HAS BEEN SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.«
It was during this time that the Law was finally abolished
since it was empowering sin to bring about death in the creation....
*[[1Co 15:56]] WMTH* Now sin is the sting of death, and sin
derives its power from the Law;
*WHY WERE THEY SEALED?*
Let me give you an illustration to help you understand the
terms 'seal' and 'adoption'.
In the ancient times when people were captured in a war,
they were usually sold out as slaves. The slave masters would display them and
sell them to the highest bidder. When the highest bidder is determined, he
quickly goes to place his seal (a mark from a signet ring, a garment etc) on
the slave to indicate that the slave is no more up for sale. The bidder does
this so that no one else comes for the slave while he is preparing the release
documents and finalizing the deal. To other slave buyers, the seal served as a
guarantee that someone else has taken the slave or a part payment and to the
marked slave, it is a guarantee or assurance that he will soon be adopted and
have full rights of a son and inherit all that belongs to his adopted father.
So also, Jesus came to purchase the freedom of the creation
and He put His seal on them (which is the Holy Spirit)
*[[Eph 1:13]] WMTH* And in Him you Gentiles also, after
listening to the Message of the truth, the Good News of your salvation –having
believed in Him– WERE SEALED WITH THE PROMISED HOLY SPIRIT;
The Holy Spirit was not the complete package they were to
receive. He was just a foretaste of what was to be inherited....
*[[Eph 1:14]] T4T* The Holy Spirit is like a ◄deposit/down payment►. That is, he ◄guarantees/assures us► that we will receive all that
God has promised to give us, at the time when God will give to those who belong
to him everything that Christ freed us
to receive. God also assures you that you belong to him, in order that you
would praise him for his greatness.
Now, we were never in the first Adam. We never bore the
image of the earthy Adam. We were never slaves under the Law hence we never
needed redemption from the Law. We are
not adopted sons. We were born into the family. The slave needed to receive
part of the inheritance as a seal to assure him that he will be adopted. But we
are sons who do not need assurances or guarantees because we have the full
inheritance as our birth right. Shalom!!!
LIVE_LOVE_SHINE ®
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