The Spirit’s Groanings and God’s Unbreakable Chain of Salvation
Romans 8:26–30 NLT
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
Message
God’s children are glorified via suffering (Romans 8:15-17). But future glory far exceeds current suffering and so we wait patiently and confidently for what God has promised (Romans 8:18-25).
Then did God leave us alone while we are suffering and waiting for the glory?
I. The Spirit’s Presence and Help (26)
See verse 26.
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
i. The Spirit is With Us
Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to His believers before He left (John 14:26, 15:26, 16:7).
-
- Comforter / Helper — He comes alongside believers to help and strengthen them.
John 14:16, 26 - Advocate / Counselor — He supports, guides, and represents God’s truth to us.
John 14:16; John 16:7 - Teacher — He teaches believers and reminds them of Jesus’ words.
John 14:26 - Guide into truth — He leads believers into truth and tells them about the future.
John 16:13 - Witness about Jesus — He testifies about Christ.
John 15:26 - Convicts the world — He exposes sin, righteousness, and judgment.
John 16:8–11 - Lives in believers — He dwells within God’s people.
John 14:17; 1 Corinthians 6:19 - Gives new spiritual life — We are born again through the Spirit.
John 3:5–8; Titus 3:5 - Gives power — He empowers believers to witness and serve God.
Acts 1:8 - Produces spiritual fruit — Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Galatians 5:22–23 - Gives spiritual gifts — He gives different abilities for serving the church.
1 Corinthians 12:4–11 - Sanctifies believers — He works in us to make us holy and more like Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2 - Leads believers — God’s children are led by the Spirit.
Romans 8:14 - Brings freedom — “Wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
2 Corinthians 3:17 - Seals believers — He is God’s seal showing that we belong to Him and a guarantee of our future inheritance.
Ephesians 1:13–14
- Comforter / Helper — He comes alongside believers to help and strengthen them.
ii. The Spirit Helps Us in Our Weakness
What is our weakness? For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Amen.
II. Perfect Intercession, Perfect Providence (27-28)
See verses 27-28.
27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
The Father knows all hearts and so He knows what the Holy Spirit is saying with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. The Holy Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
III. The Golden Chain of Salvation (29-30)
See verses 29-30.
29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
Foreknowledge: God knew his people in advance.
Predestination: God chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (29)
Calling: Having chosen them, He called them to come to Him.
Justification: Having called them, He gave them right standing with Himself.
Glorification: Having given them right standing, He gave them His glory. (30)
