The Deliverer from Sin Part 2 of 2

by John Lowe
(Woodruff, S.C.)

I want to say next that THE INDWELLING SPIRIT IS GOD’S PLEDGE OF OUR FINAL AND COMPLETE REDEMPTION.

In Romans 7, Paul describes a person who finds it impossible to overcome sin by human effort alone. But here in these verses, he describes the glorious expectation, and the assurance of final victory that God has provided for those who trust Jesus Christ as Savior. He promises us victory, not only over our evil nature, but He also promises us final, and ultimate, and complete redemption for eternity. This is what Paul wrote: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 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. 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? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it” (V. 18-25).

Here Paul compares the sufferings of the present with the glorious hope for the future. Paul had suffered greatly for the sake of the gospel. Yet he acknowledged that those sufferings were nothing compared to the future glory he anticipated. God’s children will participate in the glory of Christ and they will experience complete conformity to Christ. Paul said that we are not frustrated by the suffering we experience or see in our world, because we have hope. When Jesus returns, we will enter into glorious liberty! The Holy Spirit assures us that the best is yet to come.

There is a sixth work of the INDWELLING SPIRIT; HE AIDS IN OUR EFFORT TO PRAY ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD.

I don’t know about you, but I have difficulty praying properly. Paul tells us in verse 26 that it is a ministry of the Holy Spirit, to aid in our prayer life. He said, “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.”

We are in the period where we are waiting for Jesus to return. The great comfort we have during this period of waiting is the presence of the Holy Spirit. He is the One who helps our infirmities. We have one great infirmity while waiting for the Lord to return to us, and that is, we don’t know what we should pray for. The only thing our Lord’s disciples asked Him to teach them was how to pray. Each believer meets that same difficulty of knowing how to pray and what to pray for. Therefore, God has given His Holy Spirit to make intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Even when we do not know what to say to God, the Holy Spirit interprets our innermost feelings and intercedes in our behalf. These inarticulate sounds are heard by God when intercession is made for us by the Holy Spirit.

Last of all, THE INDWELLING SPIRIT MAKES INTERSESSION FOR US ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL.

No one can overcome the flesh by human strength alone. No one can overcome an evil nature by trying to obey the law. Our help comes from God. The Holy Spirit not only helps as we pray, but Jesus is interceding in heaven for us according to God’s will. That’s what Paul is telling us in verses 27 and 28. “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (v. 27-28). We can trust the Spirit’s intercession for us, because He intercedes according to God’s will. The verse tells us that God works for good in all things.

This doesn’t mean that all things are good or that all things work together for good for all people. Rather the great promise is that God will overrule and work even through the tragedies caused by sin’s presence in the world. He will accomplish His purposes in the lives of those who love Him and who have responded to His call.

Conclusion

Who is to deliver us from the power and presence of sin? Let us thank God that through Jesus Christ and the precious gift of the Holy Spirit we can have deliverance now from the power of sin. And ultimately, when we go to live with Jesus, we will have complete redemption and salvation from the very presence of sin.

I want to leave you with this quote from T. J. Bach. “The Holy Spirit longs to reveal to you the deeper things of God. He longs to love through you. He longs to work through you. Through the blessed Holy Spirit you may have: strength for every duty, wisdom for every problem, comfort in every sorrow, joy in His overflowing service.”