I went to an orthopedic surgeon the other day for a consultation. The purpose was to plan surgery on a foot that had already undergone two previous surgeries (not by this surgeon).
As my wife and I discussed the surgery, we told the surgeon that I was also seeing a cardiologist.
The surgeon looked up my last visit to the cardiologist and said, “You have a 72-year-old heart.” That made sense since I am seventy-two. The implication was that, whatever else might be going on, the doctor would expect to see a heart that was that old. The heart issues are minor and treatable.
The remark reminded me of a passage I have visited many times as a biblical counselor (for others) and for me personally. The passage is a stark, yet hopeful reminder that our bodies break down. It’s just a question of how much and how fast. The passage calls the breakdown “groaning,” an apt description for anyone suffering from physical ailments.
But the passage also gives hope.
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. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:20-25, ESV
The ESV Study Bible Commentary is helpful here:
8:20–21 When Adam sinned, the created world was also subjected to futility. One thinks of the thorns and thistles that were to accompany work in Gen. 3:17–19, the pain in childbirth for the woman (Gen. 3:16), and the repeated refrain that all is vanity in Ecclesiastes (where the Septuagint uses the same Greek word here used for “futility”). The original creation (Genesis 1–2) did not have these things, and on the last day it also will be transformed and freed from the effects of sin and will instantly become far more beautiful, productive, and easy to live in than one can ever imagine Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2171.
This side of heaven, we all live in a world of thorns and thistles, and they hurt. Women who give birth are painfully reminded of the reality each time they bring a child into the world.
The created world is fully subjected to a reference to Ecclesiastes and the idea that all is vanity.
A good working biblical definition of vanity or futility is the emptiness of life without God.
This is where a person’s worldview comes into play.
Everything breaks down, but that is not the way it was supposed to be. Sin entered the world with Adam, and since then, we are all sinners, by nature and by choice. We cannot escape the consequences of the fall, nor our own sin that causes much suffering.
But note the promise in verse 21:
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 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. Romans 8:20-21, ESV
Creation itself will one day be redeemed, but only for the “children of God.” And who are the children of God? Verse 23 tells us:
And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8:23, ESV
The first fruits of the Spirit refer to those who have been truly born again, those who have been saved by grace, through faith, believing in Christ as Lord and Savior for their salvation.
The children of God are those adopted into God’s family because of Jesus death on the cross.
Ephesians 2:8-10 sums up the gospel nicely:
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:8-10, ESV
As a person who has suffered with chronic foot and ankle pain for a good part of my life, I had to learn an eternal perspective. I needed to see life as God sees it and line up my view with His.
But as a biblical counselor, I have also had to remind others of the same truths-people who often have had more significant problems like cancer, heart attacks, or being disabled by war or other trauma.
The gospel is true hope. The gospel helps me face yet another surgery, and it has helped people with far worse problems live each day to the glory of God.
Pastor Bruce Roeder
RGCC Board of Directors, RGCC Training Program, Men’s Blog Contributor
Bruce is an Elder/Pastor at the Vine Community Church in South Milwaukee, WI. He has an M.A. in Biblical Counseling and is certified with the ACBC (Level 2) with the Marriage Specialty He is married to his wife Elizabeth of 52 years. They have one son, a wonderful daughter-in-law, and three wonderful grandkids.If this article has been a blessing to you and you would like to help Reigning Grace Counseling Center reach others with the sufficiency of Scripture in counseling, please give any amount at https://rgcconline.org/donation-page/