Groaning Christians

“For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of the future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as His adopted children, including the new bodies He has promised us.” Romans 8:22-23

Groaning is something that I have done a lot of the last few days. I groan from many things. I groan from work. I groan in the faith as I feel like I have so many people pulling me in different directions; both doctrinally and in regards to the use of my time. My body groans. At the end of each work day, as I step out of my work boots and put on my civilian shoes, my feet tell me how heavy they have become.

My person groans. My mind groans and my body groans. There are certain flavours within Christendom that seem to be happy all of the time. Their lips always seem to carry a glory halleluiah and are always ready to break out into a song of praise. Yes, we are always able to rejoice. I understand that. I am joyful for the fact that my name is written in heaven, but my body still groans.

Some people, when they read Romans, say that Romans 7 is a picture of our life before Christ, but the victory we read in the first few verses of Chapter 8 is about the new life we have in Him. I suppose the same people might say that here in verse 23 we revert once again to speaking of our old self. Call me a blasphemer, but Romans doesn’t seem to read this way.

Paul tells the believers in Rome that, ‘even though we have the Holy Spirit within us, our bodies have yet to be released from sin and suffering.’

How about you? Are you perfect yet? Are you perfect in doctrine? Are you perfect in every action? Are you perfect in every thought? Are you the ultimate earthly authority on what is good, pleasing and true? Unless Paul has started to talk about our old nature without giving us proper warning, I’m going on the assumption that this is talking about those of us who believe. Actually, you’ll have a very difficult time convincing me otherwise.

When you fall short of perfection, what name do you give it? Do you call it a mistake? Or do you call it for what it is? Sin.

Here’s where I’m at. You can label me whatever you want; liberal, conservative or otherwise.

I groan. I live in this body that has yet to be released from sin and suffering. I don’t live a life that is dominated by sin anymore, but I have sinned, even after having come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. When I sin, I groan. Sometimes I make a literal groaning noise, even if it seems to be something small, like a white lie. When my potty mouth comes back, I groan. What if I struggled with pornography? Would you read my blog or let me speak at your church? Not that I do. I’m just asking.

In receiving the Holy Spirit, we have been given a taste. It’s kind of like a down payment. We haven’t received our full rights as His children in this life. To be sure, you’re earthly body couldn’t handle it all. There is more to come.

As I sit here in bed, my back is sore and I’m tired. I get tired of trying to wear a smile all of the time. At work, when I’m representing The Mufflerman, I pretty much have to wear a grin for our customers. I don’t have to smile here. I groan, but I’m hopeful because I know that it won’t always be this way. The day has been appointed and is coming, when this groaning will finally and completely pass away.

Good night all. I pray that you have that same hope.

Love Kevin