The Christian’s Lamentation
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)
The inevitable miseries of life in this fallen world animate the heart of every believer to both “groan within” and “wait eagerly.” Over time, all the shiny things of life gradually lose their luster and, with every final farewell of friends and loved ones, our longing to leave this world of sin, shame, sorrow, and death increases. More importantly, we “mourn” over our own sin, waiting to be “comforted” (Matt. 5:4), and we “hunger and thirst for righteousness,” waiting to be “satisfied” (v. 6). We lament over the reality that our body is still incarcerated in unredeemed humanness and we long for that moment of ultimate emancipation. With David we confess, “I am benumbed and badly crushed; I groan because of the agitation of my heart” (Ps. 38:8). Indeed, our “groaning” for glory will always be in proportion to our “groaning” and “mourning” over sin. With Paul we can say, “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?” (Rom. 7:23), but then in joyous relief declare, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! . . . Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death” (vv. 25, 8:1-2)!
Though sorrows are ours in abundance and the ravages of sin are ever present all around us and within us, nevertheless we rejoice knowing that our laments do not end with hopeless despair, but with joyous deliverance. Those “having the first fruits of the Spirit” (lit. “the first fruits which is the Spirit”), are “waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body” (v. 23). The metaphorical imagery of “first fruits” depicts the first installment of a harvest that already exists, the first stage of that which is certain to come, a foretaste of the blessings of God in His work of redemption that will be brought to its intended climax. The concept of “first fruit” has basically the same meaning as the term “pledge” that is used in parallel passages such as 2 Cor. 1:21-22: “He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge” (a deposit which guarantees that the full amount will paid).
This speaks both of Christ’s unending, intercessory work as our great High Priest who steadfastly secures our inheritance, and the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit who is our pledge, our indwelling guarantee. What a magnificent truth! Paul described it this way: “you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:13-14).
Despite creation’s slavery to corruption and the unending miseries of sin, the Christian perseveres in hope. Yes, we “groan inwardly,” but with every sigh of our longing heart, as God’s adopted children we “wait eagerly” for our inheritance, the full accomplishment of our redemption, the perfect freedom of a sinless universe; “the redemption of our body.” “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, be the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself” (Phil. 3:20-21).
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