Nature's Anticipation

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 8:20-21 NAS95)

When I read this this morning I drew a complete blank as to what this means or why. It doesn't make sense the way the words are arranged to imply that the bondage of creation to decay is because of God, that it is God's fault that creation is such a mess. I asked God to explain this to me and finally decided to go check out the Greek to see what I might find.

After examining the Greek words in this text carefully (as much as an untrained person can with the tools at hand) I noticed that there doesn't seem to be any original word behind the “Him” in this verse, so it must be an assumption on the part of the translators. That is not to say that it is not correct to assume a “him” in the context of the sentence, but it does mean that there may be a possibility that it does not have to be there. That would certainly create potential to change the flavor of this passage considerably.

The word for futility carries the idea of “transientness” or impermanence. I think most people who believe in Divine creation would agree that nature as we know it today is dramatically altered and different from its original design. There is a great deal of adaptation that has taken place that makes it even very difficult to imagine what the original design looked like in many ways. Even though the cycle of life makes a lot of sense to us in our context, in the original perfect world things had to have functioned much differently. If there was no death or pain then animals would not kill to eat, leaves would not die and decay etc. I am starting to see in this verse a reference to this pervasive “transientness” that we see in nature today. Paul says that it was not voluntary – nature did not choose to come under this terrible bondage to death and evil.

There is some possibility that the (missing) him mentioned in this verse might also refer to Adam, the one who's sin triggered all of creation to come under this bondage to decay and death. It was Adam's choice, not nature's choice, to indulge in sin and by which all the terrible consequences were unleashed on everything on this planet. But God was also very actively at work in this situation providing the element of hope, not only for man's salvation but for restoration of the whole planet back to its original pristine condition.

Embedded within the very modification of how creation functions after sin entered the world, God formed lessons and examples pointing us to His plan to restore us to the perfect condition from which we have fallen. The hope that can be discovered in the study of creation and nature is a reminder of the hope that we find in the true understanding of the plan of salvation.

What Paul may be emphasizing here is the fact that God does not intend to leave nature on this planet in disarray for all of eternity while only restoring humans to their original design. Nature was created as a perfect environment for humans to thrive within and to provide for all of their needs. Nature was one of the main channels through which God provided His power and life to energize and satisfy the desires and needs of His children on earth. With the choice of humans to sin, nature – the environment containing those humans – also fell into a state of being very temporary and suffering from the many effects of death, which is the result of separation from the only Source of life.

I looked through a number of other translations of this text and found one that seemed to explain it maybe a little better.

For Nature was made subject to imperfection – not by its own choice, but owing to him who made it so – yet not without the hope that some day Nature, also, will be set free from enslavement to decay, and will attain to the freedom which will mark the Glory of the Children of God. (Romans 8:20-21 TCNT)

Another thing I noticed when looking through the original Greek words behind some of these verses was something interesting in the previous verse. Verse 19 says, “For the anxious longing (intense anticipation) of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.” (Romans 8:19) The words that were translated into “revealing of the sons of God” do not seem to imply a plural for the word “sons”. In fact, what it seems to be talking about is very possibly a reference to the Son of God and pointing to His return to this earth. Given the surrounding ideas of the restoration of creation to its original design, it would make much more sense to view it in this manner.

It seems to me that these verses would be talking about a time on this earth when God's redeemed children will be fully healed from all the wounds and damage of sin and will reveal the glory of their Creator. Then God will want to restore, to re-create the perfect environment of nature that He had originally designed for them to thrive in with the addition of His own presence in the form of the capital city of the universe being located here. Paul is saying that not only will the effects of sin be overcome with the glory of God revealed in the lives of the Redeemed but that God will restore nature as well so that sin and its affects will be eliminated from the universe forever.

For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:22-23)

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words... (Romans 8:26)

I find it very interesting that the idea contained in “groaning” is in reference to three different entities here. I have not yet unpacked it very much but thought I would mention it. If you have any thoughts on this feel free to share them with me.

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Fearful Slave or Joyful Child?

I am looking at Romans 8:12-17 and observing the counterfeit and the true mentioned or eluded to here. The word obligation is brought up (debt in KJV) and suddenly the sentence seems to be aborted. The strong implication that I see is a reference to the very strong motive underlying all of man-made efforts to get right with God. These are always mixed with varying amounts of fear, for fear is one of the basic ingredients and symptoms of sin.

Paul is not saying here that the opposite of being controlled by a sense of fear-filled obligation is to feel no obligation at all. But what he is trying to say is that a true motive for serving God will never be found to have fear as its fuel. Verses 14 and 15 make this very clear. When we are led by the Spirit of God we will not receive from that Source an attitude of slavery which leads to fear. The opposite, or counterpart of the counterfeit, is a spirit of joyful abandon as children – even better, adopted children. For to be adopted as a child is to be specifically chosen, not just born. There is usually a great deal more intentionality in the planning of an adoption than there is in a natural birth. And just in case we still have to deal with our ingrained fears about this attitude of God toward us, the Spirit of God is ready and eager to testify with our spirit that we really are children of God.

Of course, this means that our spirit needs to testify to this fact so that the Spirit of God has opportunity to testify alongside, reinforce and embellish our testimony. I see the need for me to encourage and give in to every opportunity to indulge in confessing the truth about this relationship with God. It does not often feel safe or even reasonable to do so, but if I choose to do so the Spirit is waiting to reinforce my testimony and deepen my awareness of this reality.

I notice a number of uses of the word “with” throughout these verses. I have come to realize from the insights from Jim Wilder about how our mind works, that this is very often a clue that there is joy involved. The neurological definition for joy is when someone is glad to be with us, when we sense that we are special to them and they want to share our presence. This is particularly true in this case. “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit...” – joy. “Fellow heirs with Christ” – joy. “We suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him” – joy. The following verses even seem to imply that all of nature and creation is eager to share in our joy when it becomes more fully revealed.

God, make me more willing to enjoy Your presence today. Remind me to testify with my spirit and remember with my mind that I really am an adopted son of the awesome originator of the whole universe and have a very special connection to Your heart. Remind me of who I really am and what it looks like to live as a son instead of as a slave. Teach me what it means in this context to act like myself under any circumstances. I invite Your Son to take up residence inside of me and demonstrate what it looks like to be a son through Your transformation of my spirit.

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What Must I Do?

Each morning I open the passage I am studying and ask God to highlight something I haven't seen before. He is very faithful and gracious and I have been enjoying the Word like never before in my life as well as being instructed in both mind and heart. It is helping me to grow in maturity, knowledge and wisdom that comes back during the day to be applied to real-life situations.

Today the focus that comes to me is the action words that I find in this part of Romans 8. There is always a lot of question about what is God's part and what is my part and the two usually become confused with me trying to do all sorts of things that are only possible by God. But I can also fall into the problem of waiting for God to do things that He is waiting for me to do. So it is good to see from the Word how I can cooperate with Him in becoming a Spirit-led witness for His name and reputation.

Here are some of the action words that I see as I look at this passage:

• walk according to the spirit (4)

• set my mind on things of the spirit (5, 6)

• have the Spirit of Christ (9) this is not completely a direct action but is a focus

• put to death the deeds of the body (13)

• receive the spirit of adoption (15)

• cry out in that spirit, “Daddy, Father” (15)

• testify with my spirit that I am a child of God (16)

• suffer with Him (17)

• experience the groans within myself as I wait eagerly for the complete fulfillment of adoption (23)

• hope for what I do not see, wait eagerly for it (25)

As I read through the chapter to ferret out these verses I notice how many things God is doing on His part as I choose to respond on my part. What is described here is a relationship of trust between two minds and hearts that grows and strengthens and deepens as each responds to the choices of the other. I believe that this chapter really is a parallel, a practical description of what it means to abide in Christ as talked about in John 14 and 15.

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Cross-linked Dwelling

I am looking again at what I find in Romans 8 and connections with other passages keep popping into my mind. I keep adding them to the margin in my Bible which is becoming very crowed on this page. I will share some of what I have found today.

Romans 8

9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. (John 15:6)

10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.... Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:6-11)

10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

The word translated “righteousness” here is a word that means justified. That reminded me of the verse in chapter 5.

So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. (Romans 5:18)

11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Notice the many times of emphasis on “dwelling”. This passage seems very closely linked to John 15 where Jesus talked a lot about dwelling and abiding.

Be in me at all times as I am in you. As the branch is not able to give fruit of itself, if it is not still on the vine, so you are not able to do so if you are not in me. I am the vine, you are the branches: he who is in me at all times as I am in him, gives much fruit, because without me you are able to do nothing. If a man does not keep himself in me, he becomes dead and is cut off like a dry branch; such branches are taken up and put in the fire and burned. (John 15:4-6 BBE)

I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. (Revelation 21:3 WEB)

12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh--

This word “obligation” carries the meaning of a delinquent debtor, someone who feels a strong sense of obligation to do something about repaying a debt. That is closely linked to the condemnation mentioned in verse 1 of this chapter and is the main driving motive for all the efforts to please God by keeping the Law in the flesh. In this verse Paul is making clear that feeling under obligation is not the part of our experience to ignore. The problem comes in when we try to repay the debt in a way that will only lead to frustration and ultimately death.

Many people think that the way to deal with our problem before God is to believe that He no longer enforces the requirements of the Law, no longer expects us to meet its standards. However, if that were true it would have been completely unnecessary for Jesus to have died. If that were true then God could have done the “Law relaxation” before it caused so much pain and anguish for His only Son. No, the Law and its requirements cannot change any more than God can change, and He has stated very clearly, “For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” (Malachi 3:6 NKJV)

The centerpiece of the plan of salvation – restoring humans back to their original design and function – is found in the “dwelling” part of this passage. If we accept the invitation of Jesus to dwell, abide in Him and allow Him to dwell in us, then in Him we are crucified and suffer the death that is the unavoidable consequences of our sin. This is the experience described throughout this whole section of this passage in the words “according to the spirit” or setting our mind on the spirit.

Anything outside of this living according to the spirit is living according to the flesh, no matter how religiously correct it may sound or appear.

13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

For "no human being will be justified in his sight" by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin....For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. (Romans 3:20, 28 NRSV)

When I looked up the original word translated “body” in verse 13, I found that it has implications of a slave mentality. That would link it directly with what Paul goes on to say in the next few verses.

14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"

Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin. (Romans 6:6)

You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. (John 15:14-16)

A slave can never become a son, included in the family and embraced by the family as one of their own, by working very hard and carefully to be perfectly obedient and perform everything that a son would be expected to do. In fact, in the eyes of a family I think they would find it strange and maybe even ludicrous to watch a slave attempt to act and dress and present himself as a son when everyone who really knows him knows full well that he is really just a slave. In the end, in the time of revealing called the judgment, this behavior by the slave will be shown to be nothing more than attempted impersonation of someone which has far more rights than a slave is ever allowed to exercise.

We consider it a high crime for someone to impersonate, say, a general in the armed forces and try to carry out the responsibilities and enjoy the privileges of such a position if they are not properly authorized to have that position. No matter how perfectly they may be able to carry off the impersonation, the real problem is not their performance but the reality of their authority.

Just the same, if anyone tries to be a Christian, which means “a little Christ”, without having the real sovereign Christ actually dwelling inside of them, it really does not matter in the slightest how well they may perform or how perfectly they may be able to imitate righteous living, they are bogus and a fake. Without a crucified Savior living inside of them the enormous debt created by their sins has not been satisfied. And without the real sovereign Lord of the universe living inside of them Who was resurrected after suffering death on behalf of all sinners and Who received all authority in heaven and on earth, a person is simply committing the high crime of impersonating a sovereign if they try to live as a Christian without setting their minds on the things of the Spirit of Jesus who is God, the only real sovereign.

You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to observe the sabbath day. (Deuteronomy 5:15)

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 NIV)

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Pure Blood Transfusion

Another epiphany just happened in my head. For some reason I began thinking about the word “purity”. I also identified internally my lifelong typical reaction to that word as something of an impossible demand by a holy God looking for excuses to fault me. Of course my picture of God is rapidly changing away from such horrible lies, but there are still many pockets of residual associated lies in my head that need to be exposed for what they are and replaced with truth consistent with the rest of the truth I am so excited about. This is definitely one of them.

As I thought about this word “purity” and how I have typically thought about it, I began asking questions about what it really means and why it is that God is so emphatic about it. There must be a reason that God is so particular about His people being completely pure – not just mostly pure. And the reasons must be consistent with the goodness and kindness and mercy of God, not darkened with the skewed images of an angry, vengeful tyrant-God waiting to point out my failures and inflict punishment.

Then the answer suddenly struck me with perfect logic. How would a patient feel who was in urgent need of a blood-transplant to save his life if he was informed that the blood he was to receive was not completely pure but was probably safe for the most part? It only contained an extremely small percentage of deadly viruses, but that should not be of much concern since it was mostly pure.

Of course, if the patient knew anything about medicine and health he would be amazed that anyone would have the audacity to even suggest such an idea. Why would anyone in their right mind be willing to settle for a transfusion of blood that was tainted in the slightest with anything that held the potential of killing him with an infection from some dangerous organism? Why not demand only the purest blood, even if there was only one place in the world from which to receive it? Why play into the hands of death when there was a perfectly pure alternative that would guarantee life, especially if that life could last forever?

When looked at from that perspective, purity of life and character in the light of eternity makes much more sense, especially from heaven's point of view. Think about the serious and valid doubts and questions that billions of intelligent beings throughout all of the universe must have about God's plans to introduce humans into the perfect atmosphere of heaven to live there forever. It is quite plain to them the results that the infection of sin and selfishness produces in the horrible experiment being played out on this planet. They certainly must not want any part of that infection spreading anywhere else in the cosmos and they have legitimate reason to wonder how God intends to deal with that issue in His public plans to import humans into the very center and hub of all the life of the universe, the very nerve center that connects to every other part of the cosmos. What is going to prevent us from carrying even the smallest element of this deadly virus with us to someday reinfect our hearts and again spread and wreak havoc once again?

Some would suggest that God will simply wipe sin away from our minds so that we will not be dangerous carriers. But that is to deny the most precious thing that God has endured millennium's of pain to protect – the complete freedom of all His created beings to love from free choice. God is extremely jealous of our freedom of choice, even to the extent of allowing sin to flourish in that open environment without ever using force against anyone's freedom to choose, to stop its spread. That is the most mind-boggling thing that most people simply cannot bring themselves to believe about God. But God has insisted on using something He declares is far more powerful than force – pure, untainted, selfless love.

Yes, sin has flourished all too well in the rich atmosphere of freedom and that is why so many believe that the antidote to sin is to remove freedom itself. But that is not God's ways but is part of the lies conveyed by the originator of sin himself; that is part of the makeup of the virus of sin that has infected us. Force, fear, shame and blame are all part of the satanic psychosis that robs us of freedom and insists that freedom is a luxury that cannot support a perfect environment.

But God says that freedom is of such a rarified nature that only complete purity of love can be the fuel for all its participants. That is why purity is of such urgent importance to God – not because He is dogmatic and fault-finding but because He is determined that this will be the only round of sin that will ever take place without giving up the slightest bit of a universe filled with complete freedom. Purity is necessary for freedom, for real love, for safety, for securing an eternity free from reinfection of sin. Ask any good medical lab technician about maintaining purity for a safe environment of health. The slightest introduction of contamination into a pure medium can become a deadly compromise. I am sure those more familiar with this area than I am could come up with much better explanations and analogies than I can.

The really good news is that though it is impossible for any one of us to purify ourselves and make ourselves perfect and safe for heaven – well, what the Law could not do, God did through His Son. (Romans 8:3,4) He came up with an incredible plan called salvation (which means healing, restoring to original perfect condition) whereby anyone who submits to be molded and transformed by abiding in Christ and being led by His Spirit will be made safe and pure and eventually free of all traces of selfishness and sin viruses. The blood used for this transfusion is none other than the perfect, pure, uncontaminated blood of the Son of God who submitted to be murdered by sinners like us so that we would come to believe in the grace and love and kindness of a pure and holy God.

Given that context for the idea of purity, I believe that purity is something I desire, even crave. I want to be restored to full health in every part of my existence and I certainly don't want any secret sin-virus hiding out in any part of my being waiting to reinfect me and cause more misery and death to myself and those around me. I also know that I cannot accomplish this by my efforts and that only the work of the Spirit of God within me can accomplish this herculean project. But God has promised unequivocally that He is going to finish the work that He began in me. I hold Him to His word, for He is able to do what He says He can do.

God, fill me with Your presence today and make me completely pure in every way. Thank-you for Your promises and Your passionate love and Your faithfulness. Transform me into a little Christ today, a carrier of Your antidote to sin – perfect and selfless love. Let my heart be more synchronized with Your heart today and make me a magnet for You by allowing Your love to flow through me more openly. Increase Your presence in my life today for Your name's sake, for Your reputation.