Dear Friends,
We live in such a hurried age that many of us hate to have to wait. We get upset on the phone when we are put on hold and told to wait for the next available operator. We don’t like waiting. But there is something we must wait for that is well worth the wait. What is it? Today’s devotional will explain. God bless you.

Because of Calvary,
John Janney

• Romans 8:23 (ESV)

  And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

“The terms ‘adoption,’ and ‘redemption,’ must here be taken in a restricted sense. Our present adoption into God’s family is as perfect as God can make it. We shall not in reality be more the children of God in heaven than we are now…. Equally complete is our redemption from all that can condemn. When Jesus exclaimed, ‘It is finished!’ by one offering he perfected forever the salvation of his church. Then did he entirely roll away the curse from his people. Then did he hurl their sins into an infinite depth. Then did he complete the work the Father gave him to do. For the finishing of that work, thanks be to God, the saints do not ‘wait’!

“And still, all believers are the expectants of an ‘adoption’ to be confirmed, and of a ‘redemption’ to be perfected. Their adoption now is concealed, ― their adoption then will be visible. Their present adoption is limited in its privileges, ― their future adoption (p. 231) will introduce them to all the riches of their inheritance and to all the splendors of their Father’s house. For this unveiled, this manifest, this full adoption they are ‘waiting.’ And so, too, if ‘redemption.’ The ransom price is paid, but the body is not yet fully redeemed. It still is fettered, and cribbed, and cabined by a thousand clinging corruptions and infirmities. But the day of its complete redemption draweth nigh. In virtue of is ransom it will spring from the dust, the last link of corruption entirely and forever dissolved…. For this ‘redemption of the body’ the sons of God are waiting.” [Octavius Winslow, No Condemnation in Christ Jesus, (Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth, 1853), p. 231-232]