Creation groans

In Romans 8: 18 – 27 we learn about three different groans that are characteristic of the current age in which we live. We read that the creation groans to be delivered, that we, Christians, groan too as a result of living in this imperfect world with its pains and death. But then we will also hear that the Holy Spirit groans for our sake, in compassion with us, before God.

Rom8: 18 – 22 tell about the groaning creation.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons 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 glorious freedom 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.

All three groans we read about in Romans 8 remind us that we are not home with God, yet!
While we wait for the glory of the new world to come, we are aware of the suffering of creation as a result of our sin. The planet suffers because we are a greedy, selfish race with little love and respect for the works of the hand of our Creator.

We clearly hear the ecological groans and turmoil of all species – and earth itself. We also see that the economies that placed the biggest burden on God’s creation are the most unwilling to correct the selfish torture of what God has made.

This is not only a serious charge against Adam’s race and unquestionable evidence that we stand guilty before God. It emphasizes that the end, the final Word of Christ, is still to come. It is as if Creation is sighing and crying before its Maker, to be delivered from man’s heavy hand and selfish greed. Creation waits for God’s children to be revealed as caring, respectful and responsible representatives of the Creator, to speak for it and resist its destruction in word and deed.

Creation came under this curse, not by its own doing, but because of the sin of mankind. Creation itself expects to be delivered. The word "expectation" in verse 19 brings to mind the image of "a person standing on their tiptoes in order to see something." So, too, creation yearns for that time when it will in fact be "delivered" from the devastation of the curse of our sin.

While our world and all of creation groan and sigh, there is still great beauty left in this world. Call to mind the many wonders of plant and animal life: the scenic views that take our breath away and the wonderful variety to be found in the plant and animal kingdoms.

Try to imagine the most beautiful natural sight you have ever seen. With that image in mind, remember that what you see is a sight blemished by man’s sin. Now, try to imagine how glorious that same sight will be when the curse and consequence of sin is forever removed! Creation longs to be free and God longs to free it! He will some day, for when Jesus died on the cross for the redemption of sinners, he also redeemed this sin cursed world. One day, the shackles will fall off and all creation will rejoice! One day, we will not only inherit a new heaven, but also a new, delivered and perfect earth!

If we believe this we will, as God’s children, serve, protect and save as many wonders of God’s creation as we can. We will be passionate about God’s great work of art. And as we endeavour to leave the smallest possible footprint of our sinful existence - we will testify that what God will do on the day of the Lord, will exceed our greatest and most imaginative expectations. We, then also delivered from our groans as a result of sin, suffering, illness, sadness and death, will live in wonderful harmony with everything God has made.

What a perfect and complete salvation we receive! What a glorious inheritance!
What a magnificent Saviour we serve!