Do you know you are a child of God?
Romans 8:16-30
16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 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. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits 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.
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.
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.
Sometimes I read verse 18 and ask ‘can this really be true’? There are times when suffering here on earth feels like nothing can be worse. I probably haven’t suffered as much as others have but there have been moments in my life when I have asked: God how long must I suffer? Why won’t you just take this suffering away? But then I am reminded that Jesus understands my suffering because he suffered even more than I have or ever will. I’m also reminded at these times that God hasn’t left us here alone in our sufferings. He has provided the Holy Spirit to help us in our weaknesses. In our groanings, we are reminded that we are awaiting the day we will be at home with our heavenly father, no longer in this world affected by sin.
We know we have been called Children of God but yet we live in the in-between of Jesus’ death and resurrection for our sins and our full adoption as children of God. I like to think of it like a child who finds out they are going to be adopted by their foster parents. They are excited and overjoyed that day and they live in the hope that one day very soon they will be officially their child. But for a time they live with the family as one of their children while awaiting that glorious day when they get the paperwork that says they are their new family’s child. It would be hard living in the in-between time, waiting patiently for their adoption, but all they can do is be patient. Similarly, we have a hope that one day our adoption will be made complete but until that day we must wait patiently. We know that God has not left us here alone and that he has chosen us to be his children.
Head: Do you know you are a child of God? How does this passage help you to be assured that you are an heir of God?
Heart: When you feel like you are suffering, what passages can you use to remind yourself that this suffering will come to an end one day? It doesn’t take the suffering away just helps you to put the focus back on God, not on ourselves.
Hands: When you are in the midst of suffering, what can you do to show others that you are a child of God? How can you show that you are waiting patiently for your adoption as a child of God?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that through Jesus we can call you our father. Thank you that you have chosen to adopt us as your children. Thanks that no matter what we face this will not change. Please help us when we are suffering to look to you instead of focusing on our sufferings. We pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
A song to listen to: Who You say I am
Emily Andrews- Creek Road Presbyterian Church- South Bank
