In our study of adoption, Romans 8:23 illuminated a profound truth: groaning is a sign of the Spirit’s work in us. As children of God, we groan under the weight of sin, longing for full redemption and untainted fellowship with our Father. This holy discomfort points us to the treasure of what’s ours now—and gloriously complete in the future. May our groans echo the Spirit’s cry as we await our glorification in Christ. Amen. – Kenneth Beaton

The doctrine of adoption is one of the richest truths in Scripture, a profound expression of God’s love that transforms us from strangers into His beloved children. Yet, in this life, the reality of adoption comes with a tension—a groaning that marks our longing for its fullness. The apostle Paul captures this beautifully:

“And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.” (Romans 8:23, BSB)

Paul doesn’t shy away from the hard truth. To be a child of God in this broken world is to live with a kind of holy discomfort. It’s a tension born of grace, as the Holy Spirit works in us, creating a longing for the day when what is already true spiritually—our adoption—will be fully realized in body and soul. This groaning, far from being a sign of despair or failure, is a fruit of the Spirit and a mark of God’s work in our lives.

Why We Groan

Sinclair Ferguson’s insight, that groaning is an expected response for God’s children, sheds light on a reality many of us feel but struggle to name. Groaning springs from the collision of two realities: the “already” of our salvation and the “not yet” of its full consummation.

First, we groan because we are painfully aware of the sin that still clings to us. While our spirits have been made alive in Christ, our bodies remain subject to the frailty and corruption of this fallen world. Paul laments this tension in Romans 7:24, crying out, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” The Spirit opens our eyes to see sin for what it is—an affront to our holy Father—and this clarity produces grief and discomfort.

Second, we groan because we long for the unbroken fellowship with our Father that sin currently obscures. Even now, we can cry out “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15) because of the Spirit’s testimony within us, but this sweet communion is only a foretaste. We yearn for the day when our adoption is fully realized, when we will see Him face to face and walk in perfect fellowship with Him.

Finally, we groan because creation itself groans alongside us. Romans 8:22 reminds us that all of creation is subjected to futility, waiting eagerly for the same redemption we anticipate. Our groaning is part of a cosmic symphony, a cry for God to make all things new.

The Gift of Groaning

It might seem strange to call groaning a gift, but it is. This Spirit-stirred longing keeps us from becoming too comfortable in a world that is not our home. It protects us from spiritual complacency and reminds us of the glorious inheritance awaiting us.

When we groan over our sin, we affirm the Spirit’s work of sanctification in our lives. This groaning is a sign that we are alive to God, sensitive to His holiness and the weight of His grace. It leads us to repentance and a deeper dependence on Christ’s finished work.

When we groan for redemption, we declare our hope in the promises of God. It is an act of faith, a cry of confidence that what God has begun in us, He will bring to completion (Philippians 1:6). This groaning aligns our hearts with the Spirit, who intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26).

A Hope-Filled Cry

This holy groaning is not a cry of despair but one of hope. It acknowledges the ache of waiting while anticipating the joy of what is to come. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:2-4:

“Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.”

Our groaning is a declaration that we belong to another world, a heavenly kingdom where sin, sorrow, and death will be no more. It is a cry of anticipation, knowing that the redemption of our bodies is not just a possibility but a certainty, secured by Christ’s resurrection.

Groaning with Purpose

Until that day comes, we groan in good company. Jesus Himself groaned with compassion at the grave of Lazarus (John 11:33-38). The Spirit groans within us as He intercedes according to the will of God. And we join our voices to this chorus, crying out for the completion of our adoption and the fulfillment of all God’s promises.

So, let us not despise the groaning. Let us embrace it as evidence of the Spirit’s presence and a sign of our true identity as God’s children. May our groans draw us nearer to our Father, deepen our hope in Christ, and fix our eyes on the glory to be revealed.

And one day, when groaning gives way to glory, we will stand before our Father, fully redeemed and rejoicing, and hear Him say, “Welcome home.”

Amen.

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Ken Beaton
Graduated from Northpoint Bible College in Haverhill, MA with a B.A. in Biblical Studies/Pastoral Ministry. He and his wife reside in Penfield, NY. Ken is an elder serving in Evangelical Church of Fairport for the past twenty years.