Expert: Scott Talbot - 5/26/2007

Question
What does this reading mean? Please explain. Thank-you for your time.

Answer
Hi, Linmarie,

This is a very interesting and exciting passage. Verses 22-25 talk about the hope of the believer. When God created the universe it was "very good." However, mankind ruined God's perfect plan by rebelling against Him when Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the forbidden tree.

As a result, man fell into sin, and the universe fell under a curse.

God created a remedy for this by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to live a perfect life and to sacrifice his life as our substitute. He fulfilled God's holy demand for sin's punishment by serving our death sentence in our place. In doing so, He made available the free gift of salvation to all who freely reach out and receive it (Romans 10:9-13).

Those of us who have been born again into God's family by accepting Christ's gift of salvation will someday have a new body that is free from pain, sickness, death, disease, and decay--free from the curse of sin. God calls this our resurrection body. The earth, as well, will someday be freed from the curse of sin and will be restored to its original splendor and perfection. (See II Peter 3:10, Revelation 21:1.)

Verses 26-27 talks about the Holy Spirit. He is mentioned in verse 23 as a kind of downpayment to assure us of God's promises yet to come. His presence in the life of each believer assures us that God is alive and active in our lives, and that He will carry out the plans He has promised.

In these verses, Paul goes into more detail about the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He encourages us, supports us, intercedes for us with the Father, prays with us. He is our constant companion, our advocate, our "Comforter," as Jesus put it.

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? If so, then you have the assurances of these promises and the indwelling of God's Holy Spirit. If not, I would encourage you to take that simple step right now. (Read John 1:12, 3:16, 5:24, Romans 3:23, 6:23, 10:9-13.)

Scott