今年的「地球日」已經落幕了。那是一個值得稱讚的理想，但也適時的對我們提出了警告：我們終於必須肩負起做自己星球管家的責任。「地球日」是一個新的運動，但你一定感到很驚訝，聖經幾百年來已經在教導我們不只做地球，更要做受造之物的管家。更重要的是，保羅還告訴我們，受造之物有賴「上帝的眾子」（21節）才能得到它們的更新。

        保羅說，受造之物受到「敗壞的轄制」（21節）很可能就是因為擔任管家的人類犯罪、墮落、「虧缺了上帝的榮耀」。我們不只用垃圾和有毒的廢棄物，還以我們的自私自利污染了萬物。受造之物沒有自潔的能力，它必須等候上帝的眾子被潔淨，然後自然界才能得到新生和再造。那就是為什麼沮喪的受造之物「歎息勞苦直到如今」（22節）。我們自己內心的歎息使我們更能明白並體會受造之物的感受：「就是我們……也是心裡歎息，等候得著兒子的名分，乃是我們的身體得贖」（23節）。

        所以受造之物在盼望、等候著，正如我們也在盼望和等候。但歎息的宇宙和歎息的人類有佳音了──那是聖靈的歎息（26節）。上帝自己也歎息。

        這是一種等待生產的痛苦。一個新的天地就快來臨了。只有那些「從上頭生的」才能進入那嶄新的國度。所有的受造之物、地球、和人都將變成新的。

        天父上帝，我們謝謝您，因為我們所受的不是害怕的心，乃是兒子的心，使我們藉著聖靈可以呼叫：「阿爸父」。主啊，您是那麼仁慈，要我們喊您「爹地」。謝謝您對我們的慈愛。奉主耶穌聖名，阿們！

English

        “Earth Day” has come and gone for this year. It was a day of laudable idealism and provided an appropriate warning: we must assume, finally, our responsibility as stewards of our home planet. As novel as Earth Day was, however, it may surprise you to learn that the bible, has been teaching stewardship not only of the earth, but of creation, for hundreds of years. On top of that, Paul tells us that the creation is somehow dependent for its renewal on the “children of God” (v.21).

        Paul says that creation id bound “to decay” (v.21), presumably because man, who has been placed as steward, has willfully sinned and fallen “short of the glory of God”. We’ve polluted creation, no only with our garbage and toxic waste, but with our self-absorption. It has no power to cleanse itself; it must wait for the sons of God to be cleansed – then the creation clean up and recreation can proceed. That’s why the frustrated creation “had been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time” (v.22). Paul suggests that our own frustration (our own inward groaning) give us insight into how the creation feels, “as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (v.23).

        So the creation hopes and waits. Just as we hope and wait. But there’s a final word to a groaning universe, and a groaning people – it’s a groaning Holy Spirit (v.26). God Himself groans.

        But the point is this: the pain is childbirth pain. A new creation is at the door. And only those who have been “born from above: will enter that spring-fresh kingdom. All creation, earth and man will be made new.

        Lord God, our Father, we thank You that we have not received the spirit of bondage and fear, but we have received the Spirit of adoption by Whom we cry our, “Abba Father”. You are so gracious, Lord, to encourage us to call you “Dad”. Thank You for Your affection and loving care. We come to you “Abba” through the person of Your only begotten Son, Jesus. Amen.