Why We Groan (Short Devotional)

by George Alvarado | Apr 10, 2020 | Theology

[2Cor 5:1–5 ESV] 1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened–not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

Notice, in verse 2, we groan. Why? Because we long for the final delivery from this present world by the resurrection (c.f. Rom. 8:23). We long to put off time, so that we can put on eternity. But more than the reality that we groan is why we groan. Is it to simply be delivered from pain? Is it just because we merely want to escape from this world’s problems? Even a lost person can groan about these things to some extent. But Christians groan and long for the final work of redemption because we have the Spirit. We groan because He groans (Rom. 8:26). We groan because we have believed the truth that creation is under the curse. Because we weep over our sin. And because we long to have un(sin)terrupted fellowship with God (not a typo).

But in the meantime, though it is better to be absent from the body, and physically present with the LORD, rejoice today that you have fellowship with God through the Holy Spirit. And that your groaning is in symphony with his, who is working out your sanctification and deliverance even in the midst of upset, frustration, and angst. Yes, even in the face of obvious evil or tragedy. Let us look to him in faith, continuing to labor for, rejoice in, and glorify Christ. Not permitting our present circumstance(s) to shake us from steadfastly looking unto his unshakeable promise of our redemption. And even more than this, not allowing them to make us forget Who has been given to us as a guarantee of that promise.

-Until we go home

Reformed Systematic Theology – Vol 3: Spirit and Salvation (book review)

Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley’s Reformed Systematic Theology Vol. 3: Spirit and Salvation is another theologically rich entry in what has already become a modern classic series. As with the previous volumes, the authors effectively balance academic theological precision with pastoral and devotional care.

Book Review: How Can We Rescue Those Being Taken Away to Death?

Brett A. Baggett, Dusty Deevers, and James Silberman: Rescue Those: How Can We Rescue Those Being Taken Away to Death? Copyright 2021 Rescue Those INC. You can order copies here. These booklets are given away for free. I suggest Christians who benefit from this work...

Church Discipline is for Restoration

Below is a teaching outline that I've used to train others concerning the process and purpose of church discipline. In short, church discipline is for convincing the wayward of their sin and restoring them. I pray it would be beneficial for your congregations....

Book Review: Ann Judson: A Life of Self-Denial

Chapel Library’s booklet, Ann Judson: A Life of Self-Denial is the perfect length. It gives just enough information to make someone interested in reading a larger work about this dear saint, yet also gain an appreciation for Ann and learn from her life without a large investment.

5 Deceitful Schemes Seeking to Ruin Churches

In Ephesians 4:14, Paul desires that local churches “…may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” In this post, I want to give you 5 examples of deceitful...

Thou Shalt Not Steal

Here are some of my thoughts on the eighth commandment from my final sermon on Exodus 20:15. Stealing is the taking of something that isn’t yours or the using of something that isn’t yours without the owner’s consent and approval. Giving Remember that the opposite of...

Posted On April 10, 2020