Romans 8:19-23 For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons of God.… I. THERE ARE SOME MEN WHO ARE ACTUALLY AFFILIATED TO GOD. "They are the sons of God." What does this mean? 1. Not mere creatureship. All things, mountains and valleys, suns and stars, are the creatures of God; but we do not call them His children. 2. Not mere resemblance. Moral spirits everywhere are in some humble measure like God; yet we do not call devils His children. It means the possession of the true FILIAL SPIRIT. To give this is the great end of Christianity. II. THIS AFFILIATION IS CONNECTED WITH "GLORIOUS LIBERTY." 1. It is the purchase of an immense cost. The struggle of the slaves, the sacrifices of the patriot give value liberty. But this liberty has cost infinitely more. "Ye are not redeemed with corruptible things," etc. 2. It involves the entire freedom of man. Some men are free in some respects and slaves in others. The limbs may be free, the passions may be free, the intellect may be free, and yet the moral heart may be in chains. This is the freedom of the entire man in all his faculties and relations. 3. It is in harmony with the rights of the universe and the glory of God. There is a liberty which implies the slavery of others. But not this. 4. It will never find a termination. The powers, the sphere, and the facilities, of this liberty will be ever increasing with the ages. (D. Thomas, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.WEB: For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. |
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