Not only that, but we
also who have the firstfruits
of the Spirit, even
we ourselves,
eagerly waiting for
the adoption,
the redemption of our
body.
For we were saved n
this hope, but hope
that is seen is not
hope; for why does
one still hope for
what he sees?
but if we hope for
what we do not
see, we eagerly wait
for it with
perseverance.
Romans 8:23–25
Hope; what is it? How can one
understand this word, and how this word actually applies to oneself? Hope is a
feeling that what is wanted can be had, a ground for this feeling in a
particular instance, to look forward to with desire and having a reasonable
confidence that this hope will be fulfilled.[1]
This hope has as its foundation, a ground for this feeling is that we are the
recipients of the Spirit, it is ours, this requirement for our hope, and that
requirement is in the fact that Jesus Christ is the firstfruit: “But each
one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s
at His coming” (1Corinthians 15:23). We have every confidence in this fact
that Jesus Christ is the Firstfruit and that we, those chosen by God to be the
children of God, the Bride of Christ are also in kind with Jesus and the fact
that He is the Firstfruit is then applied to His Bride: “Of His own will He brought
us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His
creatures” (James 1:18). We are not the firstfruits as though there are
others who will be a second fruit, no, we are in “kind,” similar, but not the
firstfruit before others. We do not see the future other than what God has
revealed, therefore to speculate about the future is only speculation and not
Scriptural. Many fall prey to this form of speculation, as in the series so
accepted, and by many as fact: the “Left Behind Series.” Our hope is in this
fact, we will be adopted, that is our adoption will be complete, and we will be
redeemed from this sin that so besets us and wars against us, causing us to
forget that we are already, before the founding of the world, children of God
and our sanctification while secure with God must be worked into us in this
life, it is perseverance, perseverance to the truth and not to some man–made
doctrine. We are weak in this body and our desire is that this body be renewed
as promised by God, through the redemption propitiated by His Son Jesus Christ
on the cross. Think deeply upon this fact: “Likewise the Spirit also helps
in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but
the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be
uttered” (Romans 8:26). The Spirit is called, “Himself,” this would not be
true of the Spirit is only some sort of power from God as taught by the Jehovah
Witnesses. Furthermore, we pray but so often our prayers are selfish, as though
God was a vending machine doling out what we request. Our requests are so often
far from what God will accept, and only that which the Spirit does by making
intercession (Is this not what Jesus is doing sitting next to the Father as the
Hebrew writer so aptly and clearly present to us by speaking of Jesus Christ: “Therefore
He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him,
since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Our
hope is secure, grounded, and should be the ground for our perseverance. Paul
adds to this fact of intercession and the conjoining of Himself with the
Spirit: “Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit
is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God”
(Romans 8:27). It is the heart of man that Jesus Christ searches and that
this fact of the Holy Spirit indwelling in us. This then allows Jesus Christ to
know what the mind of the Spirit. It is whether, or not our mind is so conjoined
with the Holy Spirit that we are in no contradiction to the will of God, for
this is what the Holy Spirit leads to have, and what Jesus Christ knows. Do we
do this perfectly? NO! Here is then some good news to add to your hope: “And
we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those
who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Listen carefully at
this verse as it speaks to you this truth: Only those who are called according
to His purpose, who love God, and this love is shown in our everyday
experiences, that thing work together for good. Those who do not meet this
rubric have only one thing to experience: retribution, and condemnation. Our hope
so grounded in this truth that those called by God have redemption and a sure
hope of eternal life that we should be driven to live for him and not for
ourselves. It is to put away any thoughts of antinomianism, and to put on the
whole armor of God and to flee from unrighteousness. This is the whole work of
man. God has done His part, now we are to do our part. Praise God for we have
the Holy Spirit making intercession for us, the One who indwells us.
It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
And to sing
praises to Your name,
O Most High, to declare Your lovingkindness
In the
morning, and Your faithfulness
Every night.
Psalm 92:1–2
Believe On The Lord Jesus Christ
Richard L. Crumb
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