Can you sense the groaning of all of creation?
Welcome to a deep study in Romans, chapters 7 and 8.
Please read Romans chapter 7: 1-13, I will pick it up at verse 14 to avoid a lengthy post, as Romans 7&8 can be challenging to fully understand, so here we go. Read below, slowly and more than once if need be. Deep understanding ( about the human christian struggle) that can only come from our creator waits in these words, and if you want more depth, read the scriptures referenced in this post in the King James Version and study commentary by a Hebrew scholar.
Beginning with Romans 7 : 14 — For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not do, I agree with the ‘law’ that it ‘is good’. But now, it is no longer I who do it but sin that dwells in me. (A PAUSE FOR CLARITY HERE.) [To be saved from sin, a man must at the same time own it and disown it, it is this practical paradox which is reflected in this verse. A true saint may say it in a moment of passion, but a sinner had better not make it a principle.]
For I know that in me (that is in my flesh), nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now, if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
I find then a law that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!
This quick study in chapter 7 of Romans is to lay a backdrop to look at Romans 8: 18 – 25, which deals with the topic of a moaning, waiting creation. NOTE: ROMANS 8: 1-39 can be considered ” the heart of the gospel” and ‘is’ by many, including me. Pursue it. It is a deep understanding.
Romans 8: 18-25. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of god. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, But because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves grown within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. We were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly weight for it with perseverance.
For further edification, read Romans 8:26-39. As I mentioned, this is often considered “the heart or summary of the gospel.” Scripture is scripture, commentary, and input by Frankie The Earthman.
Let’s reflect. Do you have any thoughts on why Romans 7 & 8 speak of the creation (moaning and groaning) for relief and deliverance from this life’s often hot mess? Well, I believe it is because the original plan of God in the garden of Eden was thwarted by Satan, through Adam-and-Eve being seduced, the curse being passed on to the rest of humanity. It is also indicated that the curse was passed on to all of creation. Every person born after Adam and Eve was positionally, IN ADAM, until the *second man, Christ. ( * God/ man) broke the curse of sin and death. Christ’s death and resurrection deliver us from the law of sin and death to the law of Spirit and life. Jesus is life. Satan is on borrowed time, he will be dealt with very soon.
Frankie The Earthman 