"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time" (Romans 8:22)

God created a paradise and sin ruined it. Fortunately for us that is not the end of the story, creation is longing to be restored to the state it was created to be in, based on the promise of God. This promise was fulfilled in Jesus and now Paul describes the physical fulfillment of this promise as something creation is in anticipation for. He likens this waiting period to the labor pains of childbirth. The process might be hard and might take awhile but once started there is no way to stop it. And the end result makes the whole thing worth it.

Many people look around and make a judgment call based on what they see. They look at the state of our natural realm and see death and decay. Our news channels are filled with warnings of global warming ruining our environment. Many organizations rally the governments and it's citizens to save the planet. However, the Bible says that creation as already been saved.

After taking all of this in it would be easy to say that God hasn't fulfilled his promise to creation yet based on the natural evidence of this. However, when Jesus came, I John says, that he came to destroy the works of the devil ( I John 3:8 ). Since he has already come, Satan's power over creation has been destroyed. We know this because Jesus came the first time to reconcile us to the Father and he will come the second time to redeem us and take us home. Based on this we understand that creation has already received the first fruits of it's redemption because Jesus has sent to us the Holy Spirit to testify that we are his children. Paul said earlier in this chapter that this revelation of the sons of God is what creation has been waiting for ( Romans 8:19 ).

Paul uses the illustration of childbirth to illuminate this very truth and to help us understand that just because we cannot see it, doesn't mean it hasn't happened yet. Pregnancy is a sign that something already took place. When a child is conceived the evidence of this isn't apparent for a time, even to the women. A women doesn't become pregnant when there is evidence to support that she is bearing a child, a women becomes pregnant at conception of this child. This illustration helps us to understand that the physical evidence always follows the act. The spiritual always births the physical. Creations redemption is already complete in the spiritual realm and now it is experiencing the labor pains that have started announcing the physical manifestation of this.

The amazing thing about labor and childbirth is that afterward comes fullness of joy. The pains and hardship experienced are quickly forgotten once a baby is held in arms. Countless women cannot recall any details of their labor because the joy of motherhood is so great. Knowing what this type of suffering produces gives courage to all to endure it. The same is true with creation. Expectation of being restored to a perfect sinless existence is enough to endure hardship right now. Creation is waiting in anticipation for it's final redemption because it knows the One who promised is faithful. Today, I join with creation in praising our God, looking forward to that day when I will see him face to face. May you also join with us in celebration our full redemption through Christ Jesus, Amen!

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"[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" (Romans 8:21)

Isn't is amazing that part of our redemption was the total restoration of all things. Jesus came to get everything back that was sold into slavery at the fall. Adam plunged everything lock, stock and barrel into death and decay, this included creation. But since that time, creation is waiting expectantly for the sons of God to be revealed ( Romans 8:19 ) so that it will be liberated from bondage along with mankind ( Romans 8:21 ).

Through faith in Jesus, we have been redeemed. Which means Jesus purchased us with his precious blood and brought us restoration with God. The idea of redemption was not a new thing, in the Old Testament a person could redeem a slave, in which they were enabled to repurchase or buy them back to exist once again in their household. In the New Testament, our redemption is synonymous with both deliverance from sin and freedom from sin's captivity. Jesus purchased our freedom through his sacrifice upon the cross and because of it we are completely free from everything that held us in chains before this time. This redemption by Jesus was foretold back in the garden and since then mankind and creation looked forward to fulfillment of this promise. Through acceptance of this gift, by faith we have been restored to God's household. We are now called his children and we are blameless before him just as if the garden and Adam's trespass had never existed. Galatians tells us that through Jesus we now belong to the promise given to Abraham. "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" ( Galatians 3:26-29 ).

Just like creation we long to be restored in bodily form to our original state. However, on this earth we are waiting for full redemption. Right now we have receive a part of it. We have been given a new born again spirit as a down payment to our physical redemption that is coming very soon. "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-to the praise of his glory" ( Ephesians 1:13-14 ).The Holy Spirit was given to us as our guarantee that we would see full redemption. Our new spirit is the part of us that testifies that we are God's children ( Romans 8:16 ). And if we are his children then we are his heirs ( Romans 8:17 ). The Holy Spirit operating in the sons and daughters of God on this earth, testifies to the rest of creation that it will see fulfillment of God's promise as well. Currently we have only received the first fruits of this redemption, but as the old saying goes, 'the best is yet to come!'

Paul goes onto say in Romans 8, "For in this hope we were saved..." ( Romans 8:24 ). Today, I am thankful to have received a down payment of my coming bodily redemption. Peter tells us "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect" ( I Peter 1:18-19 ). In the cleansing act of this blood you have been justified and redeemed. Through the Holy Spirit you have been given everything needed to navigate this world. Creation is rejoicing in the fact that you are a child of God. Today, my this revelation of your precious redemption change your life, Amen!

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