Romans 8:19-22

Next we get a cosmic perspective. The whole of creation is waiting for "the children of God to be revealed". What does it mean when it talks about the "children of God being revealed"? It means the fulness of God's character, His blessing and His transforming work being revealed in us. Creation is waiting for God's people to be all that God intended us to be.

Why is this? When man sinned, the whole of creation was subjected to frustration. Genesis 3:17-19 speak of God's judgement on creation because of our sin. God did this in full expectation of one day creation being set free, and brought into freedom and glory. This will happen only when God's people are all they are meant to be. Creation is waiting for us to get right with God.

Does all this have any practical significance? Yes.

• When we are going through trials we tend to think it is "all about me", and we feel alone and that we do not really matter. This is not true. The whole of creation is waiting for the glory of God to be revealed in us, and God wants His glory to be revealed in us. God wants us to overcome in the struggles we are encountering, it is His intention and desire that we overcome, and He is determined to help us so that we do overcome (the rest of the chapterwill expand on this point).
• It illustrates a general principle. Our natural reaction is to want circumstances to change. God's plan is that first we change, then the circumstances will follow. I have found this to be true on numerous occasions in my own life.
• On a more global level, the best thing man can do for the environment is to obey God.