Romans 8.12-25
Posted: 02 Nov 2006 @ 00:00
12Brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according
to the flesh - 13for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if
by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all
who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15For you did not receive
a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of
adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ 16it is that very Spirit bearing witness
with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs,
heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ – if, in fact, we suffer with him so
that we may also be glorified with him.
18I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth
comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19For the creation waits
with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20for the creation
was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who
subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be set free from its
bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of
God. 22We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until
now; 23and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits
of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our
bodies. 24For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who
hopes for what is seen? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it
with patience.