Articles
God's Creation
God's Creation
Most of us have often studied the first part of Genesis telling of the creation of the heavens and the earth. Many lessons can be learned from this short passage, ending at the end of chapter one saying is was now the sixth day. Then chapter two begins with "Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts." What I wanted to bring to attention was something He said in verse 31 of chapter one; " AND BEHOLD, IT WAS VERY GOOD."
I suggest God created man and woman in an environment which was perfect, harmonious, and in complete fellowship with Him. It was an environment fully beneficial for man as He intended. However, we need not wait very long to see something that completely changes things - Satan and his deceitful ways, bringing SIN on the scene. (Genesis 3:1-7) The Bible defines sin as lawlessness (1 John 3:4) As soon as Eve and Adam ate of the forbidden tree they violated God's law, committing sin. The perfect environment God had created for them was now destroyed by SIN. We know the consequences of that sinful act. God pronounced judgment on both the man and woman, in addition to Satan (the serpent) (Genesis 3:14-19).
Man has continued sinning (breaking God's laws, and losing fellowship with Him) ever since the Garden and that early day. God has never had any part with sin and the ways of evil. Being a just God, man must (and always has ) be accountable to Him for the sins he commits. Thus, He sent His Son to this earth to be that sacrifice, and being man back into fellowship with Him. (Matthew 1:21) The first mention of this is found in Genesis 3:15 which tells us of Christ's eventual victory over sin. "He shall bruise you on the head." A fatal blow to Satan and all he stands for.
The Hebrew writer informs us of that victory accomplished by our Lord by suffering physical death for us. "But we so see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor that BY THE GRACE OF GOD, HE MIGHT TASTE DEATH FOR EVERYONE. For if was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to prefect the author of their salvation through sufferings'." (Hebrews 2:9-10)
"Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might RENDER POWERLESS HIM WHO HAD THE POWER OF DEATH, that is the devil; and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. " (Hebrews 2:14-15)
Our eternal hope lies in the plan our God put into effect by sending Jesus as a heavenly sacrifice for sin, then raising Him from the dead, to conquer death for us. If we put our faith and trust in HIm and that plan (the gospel) by obeying and living faithful until death, we will have that eternal hope as He promised. (Revelation 2:10). As we look forward to the day when Jesus comes again, we can each day be so thankful for such a blessing we can only enjoy by the love and action of our Lord and His Father. Do you have that hope today ?? If not, time is still on our side; but Jesus will come again one day, just as He left. (Acts 1:11) Let us be ready. Thanks for a bit of your day....God be with us.
Ross
