Into the Heart of Romans
A Deep Dive into Paul’s Greatest Letter
The Liberation of Creation (1|4)
Pages 108-114
Romans 8:17-21 (NIV) Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Present Suffering and Future Glory I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
Paul describes “glory” in Romans 8 as both God’s own presence dwelling within us and our vocation to exercise wise, healing rule over creation. Where do you sense God inviting you to hold these two aspects together? How/Where/When do you see His presence dwelling within you while also stepping into your calling to bring wisdom/healing/reconciliation to the world around you?
Romans 8 challenges views that treat creation as disposable or “unspiritual,” insisting instead that God intends to renew the world and that His people share responsibility for it. How does this biblical view of creation’s future shape Christian hope and your responsibility toward the ecological and environmental challenges of our time? (does it)?
What practical steps (large or small) might you take to embody this Romans 8 vision of caring for creation as part of your discipleship and participation in God’s renewing work?
What is your response to N.T. Wright, pointing out that the King James Version is “clear as mud” on verses 19-21? What do we do when translations are “clear as mud at times”? Do you tend to gloss or skip over confusing verses and engage where it makes sense again, or do you read in a different translation?