Romans 8:20-21 (ESV) — For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

We live in a time where government corruption is a common phrase. People know exactly what you mean even if you don’t specify a particular corruption. Corruption can be the dishonest conduct that takes place from those in power. Corruption can also be when something undergoes a change from its original use to something worse. 

The Bible speaks about the created world as being under corruption. Paul outlines this in his very famous words in Romans 8:20-21. He says, “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”

God brings a curse upon the creation as a result of Adam’s sin. It is not only the humans that will suffer as a result of their disobedience, but the whole creation. The heads and rulers of the creation brought condemnation on the rest of creation. Paul says that the creation itself longs to be set free from its bondage to corruption. Creation is under bondage to corruption. 

It has undergone a change from its previous state of perfection to a condition of bondage. This is why we see natural disasters on the earth. This is why meteor showers exist. The corruption of the creation is real. It isn’t a flawed creation. It is a cursed creation. But Jesus’ death on the cross wasn’t just a salvation and redemption for mankind. It promises to bring hope and redemption to the creation too. The creation is awaiting the Day of Christ’s return where all things will be made new and it will be set free from its corruption. Until then, we pray. We ask the Lord to bring His kingdom to earth. We long for the day of redemption and the earth’s restoration. We lament and grieve evidences of the curse, remembering that we are the cause. So, we live to obey, laboring to rule over the broken creation as best we can until Jesus returns to set it free.

Reflection & Journal:

- Why do you think the creation also suffers as a result of mankind’s sin?

- When will the creation experience restoration? 

- How should the corruption of creation shape our understanding of the world’s problems?

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