Dear Friends,
We hope this week's devotional will encourage you in your spiritual walk.
You are welcome to share this and include it in your church newsletters if you wish; we just ask that you please give credit to NTC and the author. Thank you
Romans 8:12-25
12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are obligated, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba![a] Father!” 16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness[b] with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if we in fact suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God, 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its enslavement to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning together as it suffers together the pains of labor, 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in[c] hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what one already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Devotional
Paul has already declared that, for those who are in Christ, there is:
No condemnation!
Freedom!
Life!
Identity!
And yet…
Christ-followers are not removed from a groaning, broken world. The earth’s suffering (from violence, injustice, and poor creation care, etc) is compared to labour pains. The Spirit within believers is no shield against this suffering. Instead, the Spirit unites us with all creation, and we groan together in community lament. We wait patiently—but not passively—in hope of the time when all things will be renewed. We learn to love others, being ever mindful that some of the effects and scars of brokenness await full healing in the final redemption. We believe that God’s good creation is not doomed. We partner with God as ambassadors of an already and not-yet kingdom. The Spirit within us is a constant reminder of God’s presence and love.
Prayer
God, in this in-between time, help us to suffer well, loving others, reflecting your kindness, compassion, and mercy while we await your final redemption when ALL things will be made new.
Song: Fear is not my Future, Maverick City Music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulFGXnASE4Q)
Rev. Dr Linda Stargel
Academic Dean