Friday, 8 August 2025

Romans part 101 - Victory Over Sin 40

Tweet

Romans 8:19-21 For the creation eagerly awaits the revelation of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility - not willingly but because of the One who subjected it - in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

Before addressing the message in these verses directly, let's take note of what is happening here (in this section of Scripture) since we made a "turn" back in verse 16. That "turn" to which I am referring, is a change in Paul's message. Since the beginning of Romans, chapter 6, Paul has been admonishing the readers of this letter of the dangers of sin. At the same time, he has been drawing a contrast between slavery to sin and the freedom available to those who live in the Spirit.

Now, in verse 16, and going forward to the end of the chapter, the message changes focus. Paul begins to expound on the benefits of living life without sin. In this (our subject verses) section of Scripture, we hear Paul saying that those who live by the Spirit will benefit physically. When we read his use of the word "creation," we must think of that which has been created, our physical being and the physical world in which we live.

Life is a struggle. Genesis 3:17b Cursed is the ground because of you - with pain will you eat of it all the days of your life. However; because of God's love for us, things will not end like that. To see it, we have to go from Genesis to Revelation.

Revelation 21:1a-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away ... [3b] God Himself shall be among them and be their God. [4] He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more. Nor shall there be mourning or crying or pain any longer, for the former things have passed away.

Now, let's try a little different approach. Love is always about putting others before self. 1 John 4:16 So we have come to know and trust in the love that God has for us. God is love. Now whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. Sure, the salvation experience is about saving you (and me), AND at the same time, it is also about saving the world. Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost(KJV).

What was lost (through the rebellion to God's authority) in the Garden of Eden was access to God's presence. God's dominion in the world was challenged. God had to send His Son to repair and restore that which was lost. We get saved in the process, but ultimately, the whole world is redeemed, and God's supreme authority is restored.

Make Him Lord of your life and participate in the redemption of the world, one soul at a time. Titus 2:14 He gave Himself for us so that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and so that He might purify for Himself a chosen people, zealous for good deeds. Shalom shalom.