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22. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered
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eing very verbal creatures, our understanding of many words is passed down
through the tradition of telling and re-telling stories, both fiction and non-fiction. Included in these are histories. Unfortunately, as is common to the oral tradition, meanings become clouded, lost or altered. Likewise concerning spiritual subjects, much has been attributed to God which He simply never said nor meant. In this day in which we are constantly bombarded by sights, sounds and images, we cannot risk misunderstanding what God means. If we are to be able to do what He says without error, it is only logical that we must understand Him.
Though surface knowledge of God's Word was never enough to keep the saint of God, it is now even more essential that there be a full understanding of the Word. If one is not thoroughly versed in what one believes, he is very easily persuaded to believe something else. Becoming more common (even in apostolic churches) are attempts to tailor the Word to suit individuals rather than individuals being instructed and desiring to "fit" the Word. All of the crying, wishing and hoping "it's not so" will not change the meaning of any of God's Word. First of all, God means what He says; and whatsoever He says is what we must do. We have tried to simplify God's word and commands for far too long; but now, all are being called into account.
We try to conduct ourselves according to our myth of who God is. If we could "pigeonhole" Him, we would and we often try. But, when we finally allow the Lord to liberate us from these misconceptions, we are finally in a position to understand just how great He is. And guess what? After this realization, all-of-a-sudden it hits us that with all we know He is, He's even greater than that!
By know, it is no secret that God has one plan of salvation—and we are part of that plan. Apostolic people need to recognize that neither they, nor anyone else are saved because they go to church, belonging to church or anything else. One is saved because he is born again (of the water and the Spirit), and he is living saved.
The Lord has ceased allowing us to get away with saying that we are saved, but exhibiting no evidence. That is, not only can we no longer live any way we want, we also are going to have to start exercising some confidence in God. After all, if one doesn't trust God; it is unlikely he will be saved long.
To be understood is that this plan of salvation which God has laid out involves opposition. Try as man might to find a way, there is no way around it. However, though we need to learn to accept it, it is a mistake to resign ourselves to it. What is the difference? When a person resigns himself to something, he usually cannot do so without feeling powerless in his situation. "Resignation" implies helplessness. Rather than focusing on the situation, we are to focus on the glory that we will gain for God upon the successful completion of the test.
"Saved by hope" means being saved by confidence that as we are steadfast in the Lord, He will meet our needs. A mistake that too many make is in believing that because they have “messed up" (that is, gotten themselves into a situation), God will no longer help them. Recognize this for what it is—the devil's attempt to "kill" all attempts at confidence in the Lord.
Perhaps the devil is most adept at stealing the hope of the saints by making them feel as if they are "in this thing" by themselves. For everyone, God has a Hur and a Joshua to uphold us (as they did Moses) in time of adversity. We need each other and are to help each other, for we are the only help He has on this earth. "I need help" is the first admission of one who wants to be saved.
If one will be "saved by hope" he will have to hold onto his faith in God. For the only hope we have is that our righteousness will be rewarded.
Many of our difficulties can be solved by learning to say "thank you" once-in-a-while. We can be delivered from much by learning to say "thank you" for the joy, the peace and the hope He bestowed upon us at salvation. You see, God is not limited by circumstances; that is, regardless of what happens to us, God has done what He has done. It is a fact that He has brought joy to the redeemed; it is a fact that He has brought hope to the hopeless; it is a fact that He has brought peace to the distraught. All of these things belong to the saint of God. These are our realities. Therefore, God deserves praise in all situations. He deserves praise even in the worst situations.
The hope that we have is based on the fact that we "know in Whom we have believed" and because we know Him, we can have faith and confidence. Of course, confidence requires a commitment—and not just from the one in whom we bestow the confidence. If we will never commit anything or anyone, we will never be able to develop confidence. Without confidence, we will never come to accept that God only allows that which offers us the opportunity for victory.
Saints, Pentecost would seem to be rapidly "breaking down." Many of the saints want to believe that the Lord has lost control and is experiencing a problem with the devil and the saints in general. Well, He does have a problem—not in working out our problems, but getting us to let Him!
Do you think that Britain's royal family does anything for themselves? Well, if we are the "royalty" we are told we are, scripture says we are, God says we are, and we believe we are, then we have help worthy of royalty. Not only do we have help, but we have the authority of the King behind us, as well.
If privileged families of war-torn countries believe they will be saved by (the) hope they have in their family name and in those loyal to them, how much more ought we to know that we are "saved by hope" in the name of Jesus and what it represents and the promises He has made to all those who would be identified with Him?