Rom 8:14-17 "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."
It has become clear now that even when it is difficult and we are straining with all of our might to follow after God, it is the Spirit of God who is leading and enabling our efforts. For the life of God lived in the Spirit is a life of strife. Neither our own sinful nature, nor the destroyer of souls will let us go easily.
Paul, Peter, John and James are all in agreement having learned from Jesus and from life that suffering of many types bring about the character of Absolute love within believers. There are many tests and many triumphs to live in before glorification, but it is all a work of grace by the Spirit.
Rom 8:18-22 "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now."
Being born again is painful, it comes with groaning! What we hope for and believe in is already-but not yet! We are saved but the salvation is yet to be realized. It takes patience and perseverance to realize.
Mat 24:12,13 "And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved."
"Groaning too deep for words"! Have you experienced it? The Spirit intercedes, the blood of Christ intercedes and the God of love listens, hears and intercedes. Soli Deo Gloria-to the Glory of God alone.
Rom 8:23-27 "And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."
I would recommend to all who are serious about knowing and following God, along with the puritan giants of John Owen and Jonathan Edwards, they read Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross.
"Dark Night of the Soul" by St John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila on prayer will drive you deeper in to the presence of Absolute Love.
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