Groaning: A Spirituality of the Believer Living between “Already” and “Not Yet”
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This paper aims to explore a common spirituality among believers in the age between “already” and “not yet.” Even though believers live in the presence of God’s divine power, they still experience inner struggles because of their sinful nature. The Apostle Paul presents his view of the struggle using the term “groaning” in Romans Chapter 8. Paul himself experienced the believer’s groan prompted by the tension of two opposing wills: the will to live following the law of God and the will to live following the sinful nature. Creation also participates in this groaning with believers. As a result of the Fall, creation’s dignity and glory was displaced, as is revealed in Genesis Chapter 3. Consequently, creation awaits the appearance of God’s children, but groans in anticipation of freedom from bondage and decay upon this yet-to-be-seen culmination of salvation’s promise. Likewise, the Spirit is another who groans in the midst of this age. The Spirit groans as an intercessor on the behalf of believers. This is because believers sometimes do not understand what they must pray for, as Paul states in the Scripture. In particular, believers hardly discern the will of God regarding their weaknesses in the midst of physical sufferings and myriad dilemmas. The Spirit, however, intercedes for believers with groans that words cannot express. Therefore, groaning is a symbol of the believers’ spirituality in this age between “already” and “not yet.” It is not a negative expression of spirituality, but the groaning chorus of believers with the Spirit—all in anticipation of the final hope, its redemption, and glory.
Abstract
This paper aims to explore a common spirituality among believers in the age between “already” and “not yet.” Even though believers live in the presence of God’s divine power, they still experience inner struggles because of their sinful nature. The Apostle Paul presents his view of the struggle using the term “groaning” in Romans Chapter 8. Paul himself experienced the believer’s groan prompted by the tension of two opposing wills: the will to live following the law of God and the will to live following the sinful nature. Creation also participates in this groaning with believers. As a result of the Fall, creation’s dignity and glory was displaced, as is revealed in Genesis Chapter 3. Consequently, creation awaits the appearance of God’s children, but groans in anticipation of freedom from bondage and decay upon this yet-to-be-seen culmination of salvation’s promise. Likewise, the Spirit is another who groans in the midst of this age. The Spirit groans as an intercessor on the behalf of believers. This is because believers sometimes do not understand what they must pray for, as Paul states in the Scripture. In particular, believers hardly discern the will of God regarding their weaknesses in the midst of physical sufferings and myriad dilemmas. The Spirit, however, intercedes for believers with groans that words cannot express. Therefore, groaning is a symbol of the believers’ spirituality in this age between “already” and “not yet.” It is not a negative expression of spirituality, but the groaning chorus of believers with the Spirit—all in anticipation of the final hope, its redemption, and glory.
참고문헌 (9)
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