Creation

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.  For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.  Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.  For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what they already have?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. - Romans 8:18-25

This was the scripture text for Sunday's sermon.  I was excited as I have never heard a sermon on the creation parts of this text (at least I don't think I have), but as I read I also thought that is a lot to cover in one sermon.  Rev. Mike did an excellent job on the first verse.  So I thought I'd expound upon the rest regarding Creation and see if the great study and wise theologian Russ could comment upon it as well.

Creation was cursed when man sinned.  We usually can't get past ourselves to realize this, but in Genesis this is an indirect event as man is kicked out of Eden.  Too many people think of Eden as a specific place, but I believe the whole of creation was an Eden.  When man sinned and had to leave Eden, he had to leave a creation that was perfectly made and suited for him.  He then had to live in a world where he would have to fight "thorns and thistles" to grow food.

Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life.  It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.  By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food. - Genesis 3:17-19a

Apparently, before this man did not have to work for his food, or at least he didn't make a sweat doing it.  But ever since then all of Creation has eagerly awaited for the revelation of those who believe in God.  It moans and groans for that time when it will no longer bear its curse and can be what it was created to be, a partner to man as a part of Creation.  It suffers in bondage to decay and self-destruction.  Apparently all the global warming scientist and political agendas persons have it right, we are destroying the earth, but it is not in the way they think it is.  It is because we sin and sin and sin and refuse to restore ourselves daily, hourly, upon each minute to a proper relationship with Jesus Christ.  Every environmentalist wants to talk about sustainability of the resources of the earth.  If they would accept it, the way to sustain the earth is for everyone to admit their sin, accept Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection, and be made whole again before God. 

We and all of Creation will continue to groan together until that time when Christ comes again and restores all.  That time when we are once again allowed to walk with God in the garden of His perfect Creation.  How blessed the ground will be when He walks on it again!  How blessed we will be in that day to share in His perfect Creation!