The freedom of the glory of the children of God
Romans 8:19-21 All of creation, not just mankind, will be set free!
“For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”
Romans 8:19-21 NASB1995
After a trip through Psalms in my last three devotionals, I’ve been directed back to Romans. Earlier this month I was guided to two verses from Paul’s epistle to the Romans, so God wants me to explore these two books of the Bible in more detail. I will do so gladly!
By the time we get to chapter 8 of Romans, Paul has discussed many very important questions:
Why man must be justified by faith
God’s judgement on the morally educated
God’s judgement upon the Jewish man
The righteousness of God’s judgements
The universal guilt of mankind before God
The revelation of the righteousness of God
Abraham was declared righteous through faith and following Abraham’s example
The benefits of believing
A comparison of Adam and Jesus
The believer under grace and the problem of habitual sin or occasional sin
The law has authority only over the living
Our problem with God’s perfect law
The purpose and character of the law
The struggle of obedience in our own strength
The victory found in Jesus Christ
In Chapter 8, Paul contrasts the life in the Spirit with life in the flesh; the new life in Jesus with the old “wild and crazy” life. It is our obligation as followers of Jesus to live in the Spirit, and Paul explains that life in the Spirit makes us able to understand and endure suffering.
At this point, Paul has explained that the current sufferings aren’t worthy to be compared to the glory to be revealed in us. It isn’t just mankind that is eagerly anticipating the coming glory, creation itself is awaiting for the revelation of the sons of God.
The creation was subjected to futility as a result of the sin of man; it will benefit from the redemption of men. The prophet Isaiah described the beautiful day when:
“And the wolf will dwell with the lamb, And the leopard will lie down with the young goat, And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little boy will lead them. Also the cow and the bear will graze, Their young will lie down together, And the lion will eat straw like the ox. The nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra, And the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den. They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord As the waters cover the sea.”
Isaiah 11:6-9 NASB1995
God subjected creation to futility… with hope — He knew that creation would be delivered from its slavery to corruption and sin, and delivered into the eternal freedom promised to all children of God!
All who share this universe will experience His glory!
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Creator, we thank You for all the things revealed by Your Word for the goodness of creation. We were condemned to death because of our sinful nature as humans, but You have redeemed Your people and showed us by Your love that Your faithfulness and mercy will prevail. We trust in your infinite kindness, justice, and mercy. Watch over us as You have always done, and bring us through any troubles threatening us today. Continue to manifest Your presence in our lives, and give us the grace to fulfill Your will, AMEN.