In the discussion of Romans 8 as a commentary on the concept of the Original Sin, I did not spend enough time to analyze Paul's theory on how the sons of God would set the Creation free. Let me recap Paul's view on the relation between the sons of God and the Creation.
First of all, the sons of God would be glorified by God because they were heirs of God.
it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Romans 8:16-18).
Paul took this opportunity to inject some moral elements into glory. In the Roman Empire, military successes seemed to be the only way to attain glory. Perhaps a successful political career in the Senate would also bring glory. However, Paul saw that Christians should pursue glory through other means. They should follow the example set up by Jesus our Saviour. Jesus' glory was achieved through crucifixion. Why was Jesus crucified? It was because Jesus upheld the truth and offended many people in authority. Therefore, as the followers of Jesus, Christians should also lead the kind of life taught by Jesus. Inevitably, we would suffer. And suffer we with him so as to attain the glory of resurrection like him.
Secondly, the whole Creation decays under the curse of the Original Sin. But the merciful God has not forsaken this Creation. The day would come when His salvation should appear. As the image and likeness of God, man would be the first to receive this salvation. These would be the sons of God. When they appeared on earth, the Creation is set free.
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God;
for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who subjected it in hope;
because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God (Romans 8:19-21).
First of all, the sons of God would be glorified by God because they were heirs of God.
it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Romans 8:16-18).
Paul took this opportunity to inject some moral elements into glory. In the Roman Empire, military successes seemed to be the only way to attain glory. Perhaps a successful political career in the Senate would also bring glory. However, Paul saw that Christians should pursue glory through other means. They should follow the example set up by Jesus our Saviour. Jesus' glory was achieved through crucifixion. Why was Jesus crucified? It was because Jesus upheld the truth and offended many people in authority. Therefore, as the followers of Jesus, Christians should also lead the kind of life taught by Jesus. Inevitably, we would suffer. And suffer we with him so as to attain the glory of resurrection like him.
Secondly, the whole Creation decays under the curse of the Original Sin. But the merciful God has not forsaken this Creation. The day would come when His salvation should appear. As the image and likeness of God, man would be the first to receive this salvation. These would be the sons of God. When they appeared on earth, the Creation is set free.
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God;
for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who subjected it in hope;
because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God (Romans 8:19-21).
God gave us the Spirit as a guarantee of our salvation. This Spirit also helps us in our weakness.
Prayer seems to be our weakest link. Therefore, following this line of reasoning, Paul gave us prayer as an example. The Holy Spirit prays in us to God. The Holy Spirit also helps us do things according to God's will.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.
And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:26-27).
So, let us return to the original question. How do the sons of God set the Creation free?
The answer lies in the next verse.
We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
Therefore, God will work for the good of those who love Him. The sons of God should not spend too much time in a sinful environment which would only suppress the potential of people in general and Christians in particular. Therefore, God's intervention was needed. St. Paul believes that God is taking the initiative to clean up the environment for the good of His adopted children. So, by the time Christians appeared on earth, they work to renew the Creation. The children of God will be confronted by worldly difficulties because when we uphold the truth, many people would be offended. As long as they stick with the Lord, they are able to accomplish their mission to free the Creation from decays.
For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).
Prayer seems to be our weakest link. Therefore, following this line of reasoning, Paul gave us prayer as an example. The Holy Spirit prays in us to God. The Holy Spirit also helps us do things according to God's will.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.
And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:26-27).
So, let us return to the original question. How do the sons of God set the Creation free?
The answer lies in the next verse.
We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
Therefore, God will work for the good of those who love Him. The sons of God should not spend too much time in a sinful environment which would only suppress the potential of people in general and Christians in particular. Therefore, God's intervention was needed. St. Paul believes that God is taking the initiative to clean up the environment for the good of His adopted children. So, by the time Christians appeared on earth, they work to renew the Creation. The children of God will be confronted by worldly difficulties because when we uphold the truth, many people would be offended. As long as they stick with the Lord, they are able to accomplish their mission to free the Creation from decays.
For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).
Dear Lord, You are the True Vine. Do not cut us off Your branches. Amen.
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