By Martin Morrison
Romans 8:22-23 English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK)
22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Christians who know their Bibles should not be surprised by calamity. The Bible tells us where calamity comes from and how it will end. Genesis 1 and 2 are abundantly clear that God created the created order. And it was very good.
Tragically, our forebears who had the huge responsibility of managing creation, chose to reject their Creator which brought calamity upon our world. This calamity included God’s rightful curse upon the ground and subjected the world to futility. That is precisely why the world is how it is. That is precisely why calamity should not surprise us.
Paul in Romans 8 explains this calamity by comparing this situation to childbirth. Since Genesis 3, creation has been subject to pain and groaning similar to the birth of a child. But not only all creation, but all Christians who received the Spirit at our rebirth, also still groan at the effects of the curse. God’s children inhabited by God’s Spirit are not inoculated from the greatest virus of all. Sin. Three letters. One word. Yet the greatest virus in creation.
The cross of Christ has clearly removed from us the penalty of sin. Because of the cross, there is therefore no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. However, we are not vaccinated from the effects of sin still lurking in our hearts. We are not vaccinated from the effects of sin in the human race. We are not vaccinated from the effects of sin in our universe. Hence, we still groan inwardly.
The good news, the great news is that in Christ, the curse will finally and irrevocably be lifted at the end of time. When Christ returns, he will bring this calamitous world as we know it, to an end. He will usher in a new world. A perfect world. When the newborn is delivered, the pain is replaced by joy. When Christ returns our groaning is replaced by rejoicing. Our bodies are perfectly redeemed and our adoption into God’s family is consummated.
Christians who know their Bibles should not be surprised by calamity.