Groaners In The Spirit

Having spent some time on the firstfruits of the Spirit, we return to the groaning of those who have His firstfruits. We concluded yesterday's offering, accepting and agreeing that we have been placed in the Spirit to bear His fruit, much fruit. We understand and know that this is our mission.

However, have we accepted that we possess the firstfruits of the Spirit? Never forget, this proof of fact is easy to determine. To see whether a tree is a fruit tree or another kind of tree is simple; just watch its fruit. Fruit are visible, tangible evidence, for by its fruit the tree is known and named. Each of us knows and claims the Abiding, Indwelling Pentecostal Spirit, but it is by our fruit-bearing, not fruit-believing, that visible, tangle fruit is seen in us.

Can you hear the frog saying with gusto and with all the sincerity in the world that it believes that it is a bird? Yet, it does not even make one flight from the ground to the tree. All who know and have the Spirit bear His firstfruits in them. If this is so, then groaning is common to us. Notwithstanding, our groaning takes a divine and special form.

• Why do we groan? We groan because we are the firstfruits of the Holy Spirit.

• How do we groan? We groan inwardly, as the Spirit Himself teaches us this.

• For what do we groan? We groan inside, as we wait for our adoption as sons, specifically for the redemption of our natural, mortal bodies.

I have been very curious about this and even a bit uncertain and confused in my heart and mind. I always thought that all who have been born again, who know the baptism of Jesus, have been adopted into Him. Many of us believe this to be so, especially with texts such as Galatians 4: 3 – 7 NKJV. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 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.

Indeed, I thought that we were all sons and daughters, adopted by Jesus Christ and into Him. Yet we are told that inwardly we groan, as we wait for our adoption. Is there another adoption? Can a person be adopted twice? Perhaps you already know these things, but for those with some confusion, tentativeness and even serious doubts, maybe this simple explanation will help.

We will pursue this tomorrow.