Articles
God's Creation
Have you ever given thought to some of what we learn of God's creation? I am thinking of the greatness of God's power, and how we were created in such a special and wonderful way. I'm talking about how God created man and woman, placing him over all the rest of creation.
"Then God said, "Let Us make man in our image according to our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." (Genesis 1:26)
"And God created man IN HIS IMAGE, IN THE IMAGE Of GOD HE CREATED HIM; MALE AND FEMALE HE CREATED THEM." (Genesis 1:27)
God's power is demonstrated throughout the event of creation: "AND GOD SAID" Each time God spoke His creation took place....it came INTO BEING. God's word still has the same power as it did then.
"For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that BY THE WORD OF GOD the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But the present heavens and earth by HIS WORD are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men." (2 Peter 3:5-7)
I believe there are some important conclusions we can make knowing we were created in God's image. One thing revealed is about His nature, and His desired relationship with man. One of the first things He makes clear is HIs great care and love for man. Also the responsibility placed upon him in the Garden. The prefect fellowship that existed in the beginning. However, by Satan and his deceitful act that would be interrupted.
Throughout the history in the Bible we find God always interacting with man, and a desire for man to obey and maintain fellowship with Him. The Bible provides many examples of God extending patience and love so man can do this. However, man has not always done so, as we know. God made man with a free will to make his own decisions. However, God has always stressed the importance of putting Him first and return love just as He has done for us.
"And He said to him, 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALLYOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. (Matthew 22:37)
Remember how the Hebrew writer began his letter: "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world." (Hebrews 1:1-2)
"And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by THE WORD OF HIS POWER. When He has made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high; " (Hebrews 1:3)
The center piece of God's love and plan to save man from sin is His Son, Jesus the Christ. The demonstration of His love through that plan of salvation, and all that Jesus did to make it come about, surely confirms how great God's love is for man. Can we not really appreciate that enough to live lives of obedience to His will?
Another remarkable and wonderful characteristic of God is His patience and mercy. Throughout time He has displayed this toward sinful man. Even when disobeyed and tested, He continued his mercy and allowed man to repent. Even now, He is patient with us. He is giving us time to repent and change our lives to conform to that of His Son. What will be our choice? That plan, to hear, believe, repent, and be baptized for remission of sins is not hard to understand.
"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but IS PATIENT TOWARD YOU, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
I suggest you read the balance of this important chapter of Peter's letter. "God's word is truth"', the "truth" is God's way of setting us apart for His service (John 17;17), and it's His Truth that makes us free.(John 8:31-32)
Want to know more about the Bible, God's guide to heaven?
Ross
