Romans 8:26-30
26: In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
27: and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28: And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
29: For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
30: and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
Paul had already mentioned how the Spirit of God will give life to the believer's mortal body (8:11), and how to put to death the deeds of the flesh by the Spirit (8:13), and how being led by the Spirit shows one is a mature child of God (8:14), and how He bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children (8:16). Paul continued here to say the Spirit also helps our weaknesses through a type of prayer.
Not only do we groan within ourselves, suffering in the flesh yet waiting eagerly for the redemption of our body, but the Spirit of God helps us through an intercessory groaning. We don’t know how to pray or properly express in words what we need to overcome this flesh, but the Spirit of God does and intercedes for us with deep inner groanings. These intercessory expressions are made according to the will of God for us. The will of God is good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. The intercessory expressions of the Spirit release the will of God for us.
Paul clarified here what the will of God is—for His children to be conformed to the image of His Son Jesus, making Jesus the firstborn of many children. Those whom God foreknew (and God foreknew all) He also predestined to be like Jesus—a child of His. Some argue that He knows who will choose Him and who won’t so He only predestines those who will choose Him. Yet, if He only predestined the ones who would choose Him, then one could argue that he really had no choice because it wasn’t in his destiny to be saved. Names are blotted out of the book of life (Revelation 3:5, Psalm 69:28) so there are some that are written in that ultimately reject Him. Everyone has an opportunity to choose Him. God’s desire is for all to be saved 1 (Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9) and whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).
Those who are predestined are also called, justified, and glorified. Everything works out for good for them. Paul told the church in 2 Thessalonians 2:14 that they were called through the gospel, and we saw in Romans 3:22 that justification is by faith for all who believe. So, any person who hears the gospel is called, and those who answer the call by believing will see the result of their faith in justification and glorification in Christ. Such a glory that makes our suffering in the flesh worth it all.
There is no doubt that God’s will for you is good, and that you overcome in this life. His desire is for you to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and believe. This faith will justify you, making you righteous in His sight. The Spirit of God will come live in you, helping you to live the overcoming life. One day the redemption of your body will be fulfilled, and the glory that comes will make the struggles of today pale in comparison.
27: and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28: And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
29: For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
30: and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
***
Paul had already mentioned how the Spirit of God will give life to the believer's mortal body (8:11), and how to put to death the deeds of the flesh by the Spirit (8:13), and how being led by the Spirit shows one is a mature child of God (8:14), and how He bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children (8:16). Paul continued here to say the Spirit also helps our weaknesses through a type of prayer.
Not only do we groan within ourselves, suffering in the flesh yet waiting eagerly for the redemption of our body, but the Spirit of God helps us through an intercessory groaning. We don’t know how to pray or properly express in words what we need to overcome this flesh, but the Spirit of God does and intercedes for us with deep inner groanings. These intercessory expressions are made according to the will of God for us. The will of God is good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. The intercessory expressions of the Spirit release the will of God for us.
Paul clarified here what the will of God is—for His children to be conformed to the image of His Son Jesus, making Jesus the firstborn of many children. Those whom God foreknew (and God foreknew all) He also predestined to be like Jesus—a child of His. Some argue that He knows who will choose Him and who won’t so He only predestines those who will choose Him. Yet, if He only predestined the ones who would choose Him, then one could argue that he really had no choice because it wasn’t in his destiny to be saved. Names are blotted out of the book of life (Revelation 3:5, Psalm 69:28) so there are some that are written in that ultimately reject Him. Everyone has an opportunity to choose Him. God’s desire is for all to be saved 1 (Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9) and whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).
Those who are predestined are also called, justified, and glorified. Everything works out for good for them. Paul told the church in 2 Thessalonians 2:14 that they were called through the gospel, and we saw in Romans 3:22 that justification is by faith for all who believe. So, any person who hears the gospel is called, and those who answer the call by believing will see the result of their faith in justification and glorification in Christ. Such a glory that makes our suffering in the flesh worth it all.
There is no doubt that God’s will for you is good, and that you overcome in this life. His desire is for you to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and believe. This faith will justify you, making you righteous in His sight. The Spirit of God will come live in you, helping you to live the overcoming life. One day the redemption of your body will be fulfilled, and the glory that comes will make the struggles of today pale in comparison.
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