Christianity and the Problem of Human Violence: Part 86: Romans 8:18-26: The Creation Waits with Eager Longing
from All-Creatures.org Guide to Kingdom Living

True Christian living requires us to live according to Kingdom standards which bring Heaven to earth.

Christianity and the Problem of Human Violence: Part 86: Romans 8:18-26: The Creation Waits with Eager Longing

By Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D.
http://www.christianveg.com

Paul wrote to the Romans, “I consider that the sufferings of the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.” (8:18-19) The sons of God are the disciples who have dedicated themselves to reflect God’s love, and they will therefore bring peace and harmony to all creation. This accords with Matthew 5:9, in which Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

Paul wrote, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now” (8:22), reminding readers, first, that animals share in humankind’s misery as a consequence of the state of affairs and, second, that God cares about the suffering of all of Creation. Paul continued, “and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we are saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with us with sighs too deep for words.” (23-26) My interpretation is that Paul has told the Roman church that it takes great faith, for which the Spirit provides assistance, to endure the travails of the time. However, all who are disciples of Christ may become peacemaking sons of God, who assist God in reconciling Creation to God’s original intentions, which were to have peace and harmony among all God’s creatures.

We live in challenging times, but Jesus provided grounds for hope. He said, “if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?” (Matthew 12:26; see also Mark 3:26, Luke 11:18). The next essays will explore the nature and fate of Satan.

Go on to: Part 87: Satan, part 1
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