Lessons in Spiritual Security Taught by Creation.

Romans 8:19-25 offers Christians encouragement from Creation. The non-rational created order has a message for us in the context of the believer's assurance of spiritual security in Jesus Christ.

The word "groan" that appears three times in this passage is also used in Acts 7:34. It refers to the Israelite's attitude under slavery while they remembered the promises God had given them. If Creation is confident of God's promises, we can be too.

Creation's Current Condition

When sin entered the world (Genesis 3:15-17), Creation was "subjected to futility" by God. It is always striving to be something that it cannot perfectly achieve. The seasons of life, death, and rebirth are evidence of this. Creation is enslaved to corruption and condemned to die. It experiences symbolic groaning and pain, but its present experience is worth the reward to come.

Creation's Concentration

When you read Romans 8:19, picture a child standing on tiptoe to see an approaching parade. This is the anticipation described as Creation waits "for the revealing of the sons of God." At the same time, it is able to function consistently under the heavy pressure of the consequences of the Fall.

Creation's Contentment

Just as gardeners do their work in order to enjoy the harvest later, so Creation knows the future glory is worth the present wait. The sons of God will be initially identified when they are raptured and positively revealed when the church returns to reign with Christ in the Millennial Kingdom. The earth will be destroyed, then renewed, without any of the effects of sin (2 Peter 3, Revelation 20-21). Creation is content to persevere in affliction in view of its eventual glorification.

Our Response

Creation demonstrates these truths to compel us to imitate the same hope and endurance. In the process of adoption in Roman society, the legal phase was followed by a public proclamation that the person had been made part of the family. We live and endure looking forward to a similar announcement by God when He will reveal who are His children. Our hope is as secure as our salvation.

Application Points

If God's created world can demonstrate these qualities, surely His children can do the same by His grace! If you can see and apply these lessons to your heart, it is a good sign that you are a child of God.

• Do you anxiously long for the future promised to those who know Christ? The best is yet to come!
• Are you willing to persevere? Will you endure hardship for the promises of God?
• Do you enjoy the first fruits of the Spirit? Do you know the working of the Holy Spirit of God in your life?

Tools for Further Study

Cross References to Explore

• Psalm 19:1-6, Romans 1:20 – Creation speaks to humanity.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:5 – Our practical, physical salvation from the earth.

A Hymn to Encourage: "The Solid Rock"

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.