In Romans 8, Paul tells us that we are adopted children of God. We are no longer slaves. Our identity is as God's children. This is now the prism through which we see ourselves and world.

And, as children of God, we are on our way to an inheritance. That inheritance is not money, property, fame, or success. That inheritance is not even individual salvation (though it includes that). That inheritance is God's world restored. We are headed somewhere. In Jesus, new creation has sprung up. Though we still live in a world experiencing the results of slavery, we know that we have been set free and we are called to reflect God's image to a broken world.

All of creation still groans and each of us groans because we know that God has created us for so much more than the counterfeits we so often seek. And yet, we groan with hopeful anticipation. Because of Christ's death and resurrection, we are confident that "God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."