The Groaning Cosmos: Redemption Amidst a Sin-Stained World

Introduction

So we need to talk about it. We talked last week about the gravity of sin and the darkness within. How humanity has downsparrowed into absolute depravity with no help from within.

You know that a society has reached a type of climax when abnormal is defined as normal, when evil is defined as good, and good evil. Sin brings about sin, according to the passages we read last week in Romans 1:21-28 the punishment for sin is more sin to the point where unnatural affections become the natural way of feeling and being.

Just like Israel of old was not immune to the effects of sin, for the entire nation, in spite of being God’s special chosen people was time and time again caught up in the sin, the mother of all sins, the sin that beget all other sins, that is to exchange the truth for the lie that we can be like God.

It is the same lie from eden repeated over and over again in different ways and different contexts but still the same lie. So we create our own truth and our own sense of reality which is altogether delusional, and God has allowed humanity to continue in the delusion the were so eager to follow.

Just like Israel was not immune, neither has the nature itself or even the church been immune. So many are the wrongs that the church has participated in. It is so easy for us to see ourselves as being in a glass house looking at an evil world but the church has been part of tragic evils in the world. Some extreme examples can be seen in the atrocities committed in the middle ages in the name of Christ which include genocide and war. Apart from that, there have been sexual scandals, the embezzling of funds, corruption, downright thuggish, mafia type behavior.

Why? because no matter how elaborate or sparkling the robe, everything has been affected by sin. Even things that had no choice in the matter like the weather, the oceans, the rivers, the animals, the wind. It is all a mess. It is like cancer that starts perhaps unnoticed like a single abnormal cell multiplying in the dark. Then it metastasizes… spreads to other organs, tissues, until the entire body is compromised and unable to function as intended.

So has sin spread throughout creation because man is a part of creation so the cancer did not just stay within him. The moment blood hit the ground whether through the animals that had to be sacrificed in order to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness t (Gen 3:21) to the blood of Abel shed by his brother which according to God cried out from the ground (Gen 4:10). Sin metastasized and spread everywhere and to everything. And so we need to talk about the groaning of the cosmos and the redemption made possible in the midst of a sin-stained world.

Romans 8:20–23 LSB

20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

The Subjection of Creation to Futility

This refers back to Gen 3:17-19. God cursed the ground as a consequence of sin. You might think “that’s not fair”. Where does your concept of fair comes from? Who decides the ultimate fairness of a thing? Is that you?

Isaiah 45:9 NLT

9 “What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim, ‘How clumsy can you be?’

The created thing has no knowledge of what it is or why it is. I have quarreled with God concerning this very thing as I become frustrated with circumstances surrounding my life or even some of my most despised weaknesses. And God in His infinite wisdom gave me offspring that would do to me all that I do to him in my ignorance and arrogance.

Furthermore like cancer that might start in the lung, before you know the heart starts malfunctioning how is that fair? By your definition. A certain politician is elected as the nation’s leader and for some reason or another the market reacts negatively and before you know it the price of eggs go from $2 a dozen to almost ten whether you voted or not. How is that fair? You want to apply to God a concept of fairness that you wont apply anywhere else.

God cursed the ground as a direct consequence of Adam’s sin, not as an act of cruelty, but as a necessary response to humanities rebellion. Adam was made from the dust of the ground, he came from the ground and was task with cultivating and caring for that ground. Sin affected Adam’s purpose and so the purpose of his purpose, the ground itself bore the consequences of his failure.

Because Adam’s calling was tied to the earth, his sin impacted the very thing he was meant to rule over.

Romans 8:20 LSB

20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope

Creation was subjected to futility mateótis meaning emptiness, uselessness, emptiness. In other words no longer fulfilling its designed purpose.

Genesis 3:17–18 LSB

17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you; In pain you will eat of it All the days of your life. 18 “Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you will eat the plants of the field;

The thorns and thistles have no purpose, in fact they fight against purpose. The useful crops are choked by the weeds , thorns, and thistles. This same principle also apply to cockroaches and other pests that advance corruption, decay and struggle which was not what the earth was originally designed to do.

The natural world, which was originally designed to flourish and declare God’s glory (Psalm 19:1), now experiences decay, disaster, and disorder.

This explains why we see natural calamities, suffering in the animal kingdom, and the general instability of the world.

The earth did not willingly go into this, but the man that was suppose to rule over it did, so his dominion followed. Just like a declaration of war by a president trusts the entire country into it.

But why does it say that God subjected it rather than man, because the Scriptures acknowledge the sovereignty of God over His creation. Nothing happens unless He allows it. (Then why does He blame us Rom 9).

He subjected it in Hope. Hope for us today is wishful thinking. Biblical hope is different. Biblical hope is a waiting with certainty that that which is awaited will come. God Subjected creation to futility knowing that that will not be the end. He did so in hope.

The Hope of Creations Liberation (vv.21)

Romans 8:21 LSB

21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

So even though sin has corrupted all of creation, it is not without hope… and we are not the only ones eagerly awaiting a dramatic transformation in which we are set free from all corruption.

Creation itself also longs to be freed from its bondage from sin’s curse and go back to serving its creator in all of its purpose

The imagery of bondage is a reminder of the all encompassing effect of sin. It does not only enslave people, but the entire created order because people are part of the created order.

What is creation waiting for? It is waiting for the ones who were created to rule over it to be redeemed and go back to their full image of their creator: The revealing of the sons of God. That is the full redemption of believers at Christs return.

Just as we experience the effects of sin, creation does as well. But just as we will be restored, so too will creation.

Revelation 21:1–5 LSB

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain. The first things passed away.” 5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”

It is coming, phase 1 completed at the cross.. phase 2 will be completed at his return.

The Groaning of Creation and Believers (vv. 22-23)

Romans 8:22–23 LSB

22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

So all of creation growns as in the pains of childbirth. It is a groan of anticipation. It is an excitement that is also painful because you cannot wait.

We groan too sharing in the suffering of all of creation because we are still very much so in this sin-stained wold experiencing pain, injustice and brokenness.

However, we the believers groan in hope. We have something that the rest of creation does not have, we have hope, a certainty. Consider,

Hebrews 11:1 LSB

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

The assurance (the certainty), the conviction (the evidence). That evidence is the first fruit of the Spirit. God has already began the recreative order by the process of sanctification. The Holy Spirit has been placed within us, recreating our nature to imitate His. This is why believers do not despair in suffering; rather, we eagerly wait with expectation.

2 Corinthians 3:18 LSB

18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Colossians 3:9–10 LSB

9 Do not lie to one another, since you put off the old man with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new man who is being renewed to a full knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—

There is already a transformation that has began. This is the reason why although not sinless, you sin less than you did before, God has began altering our spiritual DNA to align to His by His spirit. This is what is mean by first fruits.

In the OT first fruits were the initial portion of a harvest, guaranteeing the full harvest to come. It was a downpayment if you will. The Holy Spirit is God’s downpayment.

2 Corinthians 1:22 NIV

22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

That is the reason for the certainty

2 Corinthians 5:17 LSB

17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

You are experiencing the first phase of the new creation

This is why believers do not despair in suffering; rather we eagerly wait with expectation.

Application

Recognize the Depth of Sin’s Impact

Sin is not just a moral failing but a cosmic affliction.

We should not be surprised by suffering, decay, or turmoil in the world; they are symptoms of a fallen creation.

Live in the Tension of Groaning and Hope

As believers, we experience the effects of sin, but we do so with confidence in God’s ultimate plan of restoration.

When we see the world’s brokenness, we should be reminded that God is not done yet.

Proclaim the Gospel as the Only Solution

We cannot escape the presence of sin, but we can confront it with the power of the gospel.

The world needs redemption, not just repairs. The gospel is the message of restoration—first for the soul, and ultimately for creation.

Our mission is to be agents of this redemption by spreading the hope of Christ in a sin-stained world.

Conclusion

Sin has left a deep wound on the universe, but God has promised healing. Just as creation groans, so do we—but our groaning is filled with hope because we know redemption is coming. Let us live with the expectation of God’s restoration, proclaiming the gospel as the only true remedy for the brokenness of our world.