12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For 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. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 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.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Through adoption we become children of God. This adoption isn’t applied in just a symbolic way, but truly means that we become almost like biological children. We can become like our Father in Heaven by his grace, the only restriction being that we can’t be like Him by nature. We partake in the sufferings of Christ and we are glorified with Him. Through baptism, confession, communion, chrismation, and all other sacraments and life lived within the Church, we can become like God. I want to stress further that it’s not a state of being, and being within the body of Christ can fluctuate from time to time. After all, no one is ever really constantly the same in their spiritual life from one day to the next. May we all strive to grow and increase in our adoption as sons and daughters of God.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 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. 24 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? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
Commentary on verse 22: “The groaning is a desire for greater things, the transformation of all creation to be eternally in harmony with God’s sovereign rule.”
Verse 23 reveals that we, as humans, desire the same thing for ourselves. We have already been adopted, yet we wait for it, making ‘our calling and election sure,’ we are saved in Christ’s Incarnation, His Passion, and His Resurrection by baptism and chrismation, the Eucharist, and our bodily resurrection at the last day. This Hope that we have is confident…
O Lord our God, who didst bow the heavens and come down for the salvation of mankind: Look upon thy servants and thine inheritance; for unto thee, the fearful Judge who yet lovest mankind, have thy servants bowed their heads and submissively inclined their necks, awaiting not help from men, but entreating thy mercy and looking confidently for thy salvation. Guard them at all times, both during this present evening and in the approaching night, from every foe, from all adverse powers of the devil, and from vain thoughts and from evil imaginations. (Prayer at the Bowing of the Heads)
