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The Work of the Holy Spirit: The Power to Believe in Hope that is Unseen
Romans 8:18-30
Mari Ikeda
A. Present suffering and future hope (18)
1. Creation is suffering with humanity (19-22)
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.
2. The destruction of our bodies is not the end (23-25)
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.
B. When we lose hope
1. The Holy Spirit helps us (26-27)
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
2. God’s love doesn’t change (28-30)
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Summary
Even though we know God’s love, we sometimes find ourselves giving way to despair and we can even find it difficult to pray. And yet, God has known us since before our birth and he knows our journey and our hearts. God’s plan for salvation is at work even when we cannot see it. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand that God has a plan for salvation and empowers us to hope in what is unseen.
For Discussion
1. What is the “glory that will be revealed” described in this passage?
2. Can you share your own experience of verses 26-28?