seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Romans 8: 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 firstfruits 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.
Is anyone sure that Paul wasn't paid by the word? He is so longwinded! Not everyone was cut out to be a Christian. That's in verse 30. It's our choice.
When God was sculpting us and counting out the hairs on our head, He knew which of us was going to make all the decisions the way they should be made to get back to God. Maybe the excitement made us buzz in his hands as He knit us together. Anyway... He knew. Knowing that... God keeps tabs on us. Making sure we keep up the good fight. Since it's our choice, we could make a wrong move and require a bit of an intervention from God.
I've tried several ways to describe the "intervention" from God. But then I thought of sheep. A nudge will send an errant sheep back to the fold. If the sheep belongs to the shepherd and it keeps wandering off, the staff works to break the sheep.... some sheep are so stubborn... They have to have their legs broken to learn.
Now think back.... have you been nudged? That's justification. If you'll stay with the flock... stay in the Book... keep on Believing... you will be glorified.
I can't wait to see my new digs. Jesus said God's place has mansions. I wouldn't want a mansion here on earth... I want my house on one level here on earth, because my hips and knees just don't like stairs. But in Heaven... my hips and knees won't hurt and if God wants me to live on the 20th floor with no elevator... I figure I'll be able to bound up the stairs by twos or fours! I won't be an angel... I probably won't have wings.... but it's Heaven... maybe I will fly!
- God knows who we are.
- God knows we make "questionable" decisions.
- God keeps an eye on us.
- God corrects our paths to get us to where we want to go.
- God makes it all worthwhile by adopting us into His Family.
