Romans 8:19-22 (KJV)

19. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21. Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Paul has told us that we should expect suffering as Christians, but our suffering is not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us. We can lift up our heads in the midst of persecution or suffering because we know something far better is coming! Paul then moves our attention to the suffering and groaning of creation. The Greek word translated "creature" by the KJV is the same as the word "creation." The prophets often attributed human characteristics to the inanimate creation. For example: Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof. Let the field be joyful and all the trees of the wood rejoice" (Ps. 96:11, 12). "Ye shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and the trees of the field shall clap their hands" (Isaiah 55:12).

1. Creation's Problem . . . "For the creation was made subject to vanity (futility)" (v.20).
   "As leprosy not only defiled the man who was infected with it, but also the house he inhabited, in the same way, sin, which is the spiritual leprosy of man, has not only defiled our bodies and souls, but by the just judgment of God, has infected all creation." Robert Haldane
   1. God cursed the earth because of Adam's sin . . .
      "Cursed is the ground (earth) for thy sake (sin)" (Gen. 3:17). There is something wrong with the animal world, plant life, the whole environment. Planet earth is messed up. The wind moans, animals scream, animals terrorize other animals, doves mourn, our beloved pets die, squirrels that we love to feed are run over by cars, tornadoes sweep people and towns away, earthquakes bury loved ones, volcanoes spew their wrath.
   2. God graced the earth because of the second Adam's obedience . . .
      Jesus Christ came to not only redeem His children, He also came to redeem creation. Christ will eventually undo the curse that rightfully came upon our domain on earth. C.S. Lewis beautifully portrays this in his book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe:

      Wrong will be right when Aslan (Christ) comes in sight,
      At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
      When he bares he teeth, winter meets its death,
      And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again."

2. Creation's Pain . . . "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain" (v.22).
   Just as God's children still suffer and are often in pain, though redemption is accomplished, so too, creation suffers and is in pain. The creation has lost its original state of harmony. It is a fact that the world around us is in a suffering and degraded condition. Skeptics say, "How can there be an all-powerful, good, wise God when the world around us is full of pain and suffering?" Scripture, alone, reveals the answer. "How great is the evil of sin! It has polluted the heavens and the earth, and has subjected them to vanity and corruption. Evil and misery prevail. Creation itself is compelled to witness to the dishonor done to its Author." Haldane
3. Creation's Purity . . . "the creation itself also shall be delivered" (v.21).
   Just as believers in Christ suffer, but shall be delivered to "glory that shall be revealed in us," so also creation earnestly expects to be delivered from the bondage of sin and corruption.
   1. This confident expectation is called "hope in God" (v.24).
      Creation must be dependent upon God, and His work, for the restoration of the universe. God will restore earth to her former glory the day He finishes His work in His people.
   2. This confident expectation makes present suffering bearable.
      The childbirth imagery -- "groan, travail, deliver" speaks of present pain, future joy!

   

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   Questions? Comments?
   Pastor Wade