Romans 8:23-25 (KJV)

23. 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.
24. 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?
25. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

In the previous four verses the Apostle told us creation "is straining with anticipation" looking forward to the day when God's children are adopted fully, formally and eternally. This is called "the glory that shall be revealed in us" (v.18), "the manifestation of the sons of God" (v.19), and the "redemption of our bodies" (v.23). It is when God openly declares to angels, creation and the world that He has chosen to adopt sinners as His own.

1. There should be within us some tremendous anticipation . . .
   Paul says, "Not only then (creation), but we (too) are waiting for the adoption" (v.23). God's adoption process involves three stages similar to the Roman stages of adoption.
   1. The choice of the Father . . .
      This is called election. It is God's decree to adopt before His people are called. Caiaphas: "Christ died for all the children of God scattered abroad" (John 11:52).
   2. The call of the Spirit . . .
      This is the spirit awakening us to what God has done for us, and is doing in us. This is termed "the firstfruits of the Spirit," not the full fruits, but the first fruits.
   3. The ceremony of the Son . . .
      This is that day when Christ proclaims to the world what has been done for us. "Come ye blessed of my Fahter, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matthew 25:34). This is "the redemption of our bodies."
      1. Redemption represents a great deliverance.
         "He hath delivered the redeemed from the hand of the enemy" (Psalm 107:2).
      2. Redemption represents a great day.
         We are sealed by the Holy spirit "unto the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30). The day of Sinai is God's. The day of Pentecost is the Spirit's. The day of Redemption is the Son's. Christ has fully and finally completed His work.
2. There is often within us some temporary agony . . .
   Paul says we "groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption" (v.23). We groan because of pain within us, pressures without us, and problems around us. But in the world I can persevere and live like the adopted child of the King of kings.
   1. We are a people of hope . . .
      Hope is a little different than faith. By faith we believe the promises God has made. In hope (see v.20) we expect to receive the good things God promised. It is this hope that led Moses to forsake the riches of Egypt (Hebrews 11:25-26).
      "The men of the world hope (expect) riches and the perishable things of this life; the believer hopes for an inheritance in heaven, that fades not away" Haldane.
   2. This hope protects the head . . .
      When a person constantly keeps his mind on what is to come, he 'perseveres' in his walk with Christ and keeps a clear perspective on matters of life. Paul commands us to put on "for an helmet the hope of salvation" (I Thessalonians 5:8). "Christ, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross" (Hebrews 12:2). So can we.
      "It is when we look to men too much that we look up to heaven too little" Gill.
      May God give us the grace and virtue to joyfully anticipate our day of adoption.