×

Remember the Bible says creation will be set free

By THE REV. PHIL VAN DAM

Brooke-Hancock Episcopal Ministries

The second lesson this Sunday is from Paul’s letter to the Romans 8:12-25. In verses 18-23 Paul talks about how creation is groaning, as if in labor, and that it will be set free from bondage, and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. I remember when I was growing up, what I heard from the church had nothing to do with saving nature: It was all about saving humans. This is not what the Bible says. Here Paul talks quite clearly about creation being freed from bondage.

When Christians start talking about protecting creation, I have often heard people say, it’s my land, I can do with it as I please. This too is not what the Bible says. In Psalm 24, we are told that the Earth belongs to God, not us.

When someone says, it is my property, they are claiming for themselves what actually belongs to God. In Colossians 1, we are told that the world was created through Christ and for Christ. It was created for Christ, not us.

Creation is God’s artwork. How we treat creation shows what we actually think of God. On any given day, most people would rather be God than serve God. When we put our wishes ahead of what serves God, we are saying that we wish to displace God in our lives.

When it comes to nature, I hear people putting their preferences ahead of God’s will all the time. This happens when some people say that some species should not exist. What we are told is that God created them, and God owns them. They exist for a reason. Whether we are able to understand that reason is pointless. If we have faith in God, if we trust God, then simply knowing that God created them, and that they belong to God should be enough.

(“From the Pulpit” is a weekly sermon provided by the clergy members of The Weirton Ministerial Association)

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today