What Does Romans 8:23 Mean?

And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

Romans 8:23(NASB)

Verse of the Day

Creation has been groaning since it was first cursed, when sin entered the world because of man's disobedience and defiance of God. But the day is fast approaching when the earth will be filled with the glory of God and His healing touch will stream out to beautify a broken earth and renew its original glory. And God has set an appointed time when the curse will be lifted, which is linked to His plans and purposes for humanity in general and the Christian Church in particular.

When Christ first came to the earth as Messiah and Saviour, He was rejected by His people, Israel, but as many as received Him, to them gave the power to become sons of God, even to those that believe on the name of Jesus. And we who trust in Jesus have become the first-fruit of the Spirit, for we were born again as children of God and baptised by Him into the Body of Christ. And since the birth of the Church, we too have groaned with creation for the redemption of our bodies, for Christ Himself promised, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be."

Israel as a nation was adopted as God's son in its infancy, but Israel lived in unbelief and is awaiting a future redemption when the nation will cry: "Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord."

And so we have entered the Church age, where each Church member was born into the family of God as a child of God. Each is already redeemed, and redemption touches every aspect of our lives; body, soul, and spirit.

We are already redeemed in spirit, for we have been born again. We are redeemed in soul, for during our earthly walk we are being sanctified and the Spirit of God has pledged to conform us into the image and likeness of the Lord Jesus. And we are redeemed in body, for though this is a future hope to be finalised at the Rapture of the saints, the redemption of our bodies is a secure reality which is founded upon God's sure Word.

It will be at God's appointed time when the Body of Christ, which is the Church, will receive the adoption of sonship, at the close of the Church age – for that is God's appointed time.

What a glorious day that will be when the Lord descends with a shout and the dead in Christ will rise from the grave first. And after that has happened, those of us that are still alive in our mortal bodies, will be changed into immortal bodies in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and we will be given our new bodies - our redemptive bodies - our glorified bodies - our heavenly and eternal bodies. And just as creation groans to be clothed in beauty and redeemed from the curse in Eden, we too groan inwardly as we eagerly wait for that day when we are officially adopted as Sons of God.

My Prayer

Loving Father, thank You that I am already your child and that one day I will receive my resurrection body. Thank You that Your promises to the Church and to Israel are founded upon Your Word of Truth. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

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