Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27)
In the previous lesson we learned, For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, (Romans 8:14-17) And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (Galatians 4:6-7) The Holy Spirit is so important because He is our confirmation that we are truly saved, children of God.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30) That's why Jesus said, “And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven." (Luke 12:10) “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation” (Mark 3:28-29) Blaspheming, speaking impiously or irreverently, to speak evil of or slander God's Holy Spirit is the only unforgivable sin.
The Holy Spirit is also important to us because Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:15-17) For through Him [Christ Jesus] we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. (Ephesians 2:18)
The Holy Spirit is also important because Jesus said, "But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you." (Matthew 10:19-20) And Paul started this lesson explaining the same thing; Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Faith in Christ Jesus gives us access to God, but the Holy Spirit is our line of communication to God; because God, who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. So the Holy Spirit is our "seal" of salvation until our day of redemption; He is our Helper in various ways, who abides with us forever; and He is our intercessor, who speaks through us to man and for us to God.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30)
All things work together for good to those who love God! What does that mean within the context of this lesson? Remember we studied in the previous lesson, For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. (Romans 8:22-25)
We have to hold on to our hope that even though we are or will go through many things before our day of redemption, it's all working together for our good. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. (I Thessalonians 5:9-10) This was a part of God's plan from the beginning. He foreknew us from our beginnings, For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13) He predestined us to be saved through faith in His Son and become a part of his family, for He said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;..." (Genesis 1:26) ...that whoever believes in Him [the Son of Man] should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:15)
Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified! Our hope is based on a solid foundation, God and His Word, Christ Jesus! What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all [John 3:13-17], how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. (Romans 8:31-34)
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” [Psalm 44:22] Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:34-39) AMEN!
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