creation

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 80

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Day 80

Of Creation

Chapter 4, Paragraph 3.

“...which whilst they kept, they were happy in their Communion with God, and had dominion over the Creatures.“

Scripture Lookup

Genesis 1:26, 28.

Reflection

What was the best thing about the garden of Eden before the Fall?

If you’re like most people, the focus is on the lack of hardship: no sickness, no sorrow, no snow. There was eternal sunshine, good food, amiable animals.  Most probably think of Eden like they do an ideal vacation.

Unlike a vacation, Adam was given instruction to work. There was no laying about in the garden! Much of the work in Eden was to tend to the garden and the creatures. While our work is affected by the Fall, we are not called to idleness, and benefit from useful activity.

Adam and Eve were also to care for the animals. Not because they were on equal footing with them as some believe today, but because they had dominion over them. Humans still have a responsibility to tend the earth and animals wisely. Needless cruelty to animals and flagrant waste show disrespect for our role as stewards.

Despite all the bliss of the material comforts of creation in its initial state, that was not the best thing about the garden of Eden. The best thing was that Adam and Eve had communion with God. Many rush after an idyllic vacation, filling their senses with material beauty. While God has created wondrous things for us to enjoy, so many ignore the One this beautiful creation declares. True happiness is only obtained when you have communion with God. Everything else is of little worth without Him.

Questions to Consider

  • When thinking about Eden, what attracts you more, the delights of creation or the closeness with the Creator ?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 79

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Day 79

Of Creation

Chapter 4, Paragraph 3.

“Besides the law written in their hearts, they received a command not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil;...”

Scripture Lookup

Genesis 2:17.

Reflection

Specifically speaking to Adam and Eve, God gave them a command. Any tree of the garden they could eat, but not of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. For in the day they eat from it, they would surely die.

This command was not part of the law written on their hearts. It was a particular command that was just for them. This is what is called a positive precept. We do not have to follow this command of God, because this command is not given to us.

Don’t eat the fruit. It seems like such a simple thing to obey. In our pride we may think that we would not have failed such a directive. As New Covenant believers, though, we fail even in loving God daily! While we should mourn that Adam and Eve did not heed God, we should not think ourselves to be of greater moral fortitude. Instead, we need to look to our Savior, who fulfilled every command given Him.

Questions to Consider

  • Are you obeying God’s commands?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 78

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Day 78

Of Creation

Chapter 4, Paragraph 2.

“….and power to fulfill it, and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject to change.”

Scripture Lookup

Genesis 3:6.

Reflection

Paradise is always painted as such a wonderful place. Compared to this fallen world, it definitely was better. No sickness, no annoyance, no shame. Adam and Eve lived in harmony with one another. Their rule over the rest of creation was delightful, not burdensome. God was in their midst, and they had no need to be afraid. Who wouldn’t want that?

Yet despite the bliss that was surely Eden, it wasn’t steadfast. Adam and Eve’s happy and holy state could be broken. They had the ability to transgress God’s law. Their righteousness was dependent upon their obedience. Spoiler alert: they didn’t obey.

It is important to remember that this did not take God by surprise. He is the one who has decreed “all things whatsoever comes to pass”. Redeeming mankind was never the emergency back-up. It was set before the foundation of the world. As such, those chosen in Christ will receive everlasting glory, not dependent upon their righteousness, but because of Christ’s. That righteousness will never change.

Questions to Consider

  • Would you rather go back to the garden of Eden, or forward to glory?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 77

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Day 77

Of Creation

Chapter 4, Paragraph 2.

“….having the law of God written in their hearts, and power to fulfill it;…”

Scripture Lookup

Romans 2:14,15.

Reflection

Happily in Eden lived Adam and Eve. Have you ever wondered why they were able to live that way? “God made man upright…” (Ecclesiastes 7:29) In other words, what does it mean to be holy and happy? What does it mean for Adam and Eve to be very good?

Mentioning the word “law” tends to stir up feelings of dread. Law is harsh; law gets you in trouble; law means rules and obedience and no fun. As fallen creatures we think of the concept of law in such a way. Yet God’s law, coming from an infinitely perfect, wise and holy Being, is good! This law is also unchanging, as it reflects the character of an unchanging God. This law of God Adam and Eve had written in their hearts; in other words, they knew what God required of them. This unchanging law, binding on all peoples for all time, is called the moral law. Some may also call it natural law.

Remember, the universe exists because God called it into being for His glory (Rom. 11:36). He does not give us the right to act as if He does not exist. There is a law of God that is intrinsic to our being (Rom. 2:14ff). It is according to this law that we are accountable to God….Being His image means that we are accountable to Him.

-Richard Barcellos, Better Than The Beginning

Adam and Eve knew God’s moral law because they had in written in their hearts. But they not only knew His law, they were able to keep it. Law did not have a menacing tone for them, for they could obey it. There is a peace and happiness that comes from being in full compliance with law, and originally Adam and Eve had this happiness.

As Christians redeemed from sin, we cannot fully keep God’s moral law. But we look to the One who did fulfill it perfectly, Jesus Christ. Through His perfect obedience, we obtain righteousness. His law is written anew in our hearts, and we are more and more enabled to true holiness through His Spirit.

Questions to Consider

  • How do you view the moral law? Is it a burden or a delight?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 76

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Day 76

Of Creation

Chapter 4, Paragraph 2.

“….rendering them fit unto that life to God, for which they were Created; being made after the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness;…”

Scripture Lookup

Ecclesiastes 7:29.

Genesis 1:26.

Reflection

What does it mean to be made after the image of God?

Viewing ancient Greek statues of various gods and goddesses, it is remarkable how human-like they are. They model what was considered the perfect physique. Strong, muscular arms and legs, pleasant facial features, they provided an example of external deity that was like a human, only better. One could look at them and think, “The gods and goddesses look like us.” When God created Adam and Eve after His image, did they reflect Him in physical appearance? No. God is a spirit, remember, and does not have a body like men. So it was not in external appearances that they were made after His image.

To be made after the image of God means that Adam and Eve reflected some of the properties of God, particularly in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. Having a reasonable soul, they were able to understand who God was, what He had made, and what He required of them. They were able to do that which was pleasing to God, as they had not yet broken His law. Adam and Eve were able to be in fellowship with God. Thomas Vincent writes in his The Shorter Catechism Explained from Scripture,”Man at first had true and chief love to God; his desires were chiefly after him, and his delight was chiefly in him, and no creature in the world had too great a share.”

Tainted with sin as we are, it is difficult to picture what Adam and Eve were like before the Fall. Yet some aspects of God’s image still remain in every person born on earth. Our souls are still reasonable and immortal, and know from the general revelation found in creation that there is a God. Unbelievers also strive to keep some sort of moral code. We have a reminder of what Adam and Eve lost when we view the rest of mankind. Thankfully, we have a Savior who restores the image of God in His people.

Questions to Consider

  • How are the people around you reflecting God’s image?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 75

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Day 75

Of Creation

Chapter 4, Paragraph 2.

“….with reasonable and immortal souls,…“

Scripture Lookup

Genesis 2:7.

Reflection

Thinking is a privilege. As humans we are not just mammals. Unlike animals, we are not guided by instinct. We have a soul that is able to reason. We are able to gather data and formulate convictions based upon that data. Holding certain beliefs and opinions is one way that we are different than the rest of creation. As such, we have a responsibility to use our reason and act accordingly. Many do not want to be burdened with having to reason, though, and willingly act like the animals from which we were we set apart. Some insist that there is no soul, just brain chemistry and neurons.

However, we are not just neurons firing. There is a spiritual aspect to our being. Our souls in this fallen world need the hope and comfort that only Christ brings. This comfort lasts far beyond this life, for the soul never dies. This means there are eternal consequences for us after death. The state of our souls before God should be of the utmost concern, for while this life is but a moment, how we respond to Christ has lasting effects. Would you have peace and comfort? Look to Christ to save your soul.

Questions to Consider

  • In what condition is your soul today?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 74

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Day 74

Of Creation

Chapter 4, Paragraph 2.

“After God had made all other Creatures, he Created man, male and female,….“

Scripture Lookup

Genesis 1:27.

Reflection

The sweet friend you’ve had since childhood. The bratty neighbor’s kid. Our current president, and the one that preceded him. All have been created by God. Do we treat them as such? It’s easy to extend kindness to our friends, but sometimes we treat the guy who gets on your nerves at work with less respect. Yet all humans should be respected on account of their Creator.

Not only did God create all people, He created them male and female. You may think that this is obvious, but in our culture today there is a denial of such a fact. Some men are denying that they were created male, and doing everything they can to be a female. There are women also who revolt against their bodies and insist they are male. But men and women are not the same. These differences were created by God. Since God created male and female from the beginning, these differences are very good.

Note that God created male, but God also created female. While Genesis explains how the woman was formed from the man, it distinctly states that God did the forming. Women are not secondhand creations. They have also been created directly by God, and therefore are equal with men. When determining the various roles men and women should have in marriage, the family, and society, it is important to begin on this foundation.

Questions to Consider

  • How do you view those created by God?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 73

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Day 73

Of Creation

Chapter 4, Paragraph 1.

“… to Create or make the world, and all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days, and all very good.“

Scripture Lookup

Colossians 1:16.

Genesis 2:1,2.

Reflection

God made the world and everything in it. He did so in six days. What He made was very good.

Interestingly, it is rare that you hear anyone question the goodness of the new creation. If people accept that God made the world, they do not question that the world was very good when it was created. Perhaps this is because we can see that most things that are new in our world start off well. Babies have soft skin; seedlings are tender and shiny. It is over time that things decay and get weathered. A creation of God, unaffected by the Fall, would naturally be very good.

So we don’t see many question the goodness of God’s creation. However, in our modern times, the notion that the world was created in a literal six days is not just questioned but disdained. Everyone knows about evolution; everyone knows that the earth is millions of years old. It is taught as fact in schools and assumed by the media. Such strong reaction against the timing of God’s creation makes many pause and wonder if the Bible is true in this regard.

There is much symbolism and allegory in the Bible. Yet Genesis is not a book that is written as such. It is a book concerned with relating the history of the people of Israel. In accepting the creation account, we are allowing God’s word to reveal something of which we know nothing. We were not there; we did not see Creation form. It is best, then, to trust the account of the One who was there and who accomplished it.

Questions to Consider

  • How have you wrestled with a six-day creation versus evolution?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 72

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Day 72

Of Creation

Chapter 4, Paragraph 1.

“… for the manifestation of the glory of His eternal power, wisdom, and goodness,…”

Scripture Lookup

Romans 1:20.

Reflection

This whole universe exists to glorify God.

Did you think that He created it for you? There are those out there that do think this. “God made all this – for us!” they exclaim. And there is much to this world that we can enjoy. Yet there are a multitude of things out there that we will never experience, no matter how much you cram into one lifetime. Why then would you think that this earth was made just for you?

No matter how much we try, we cannot match the power, wisdom, and goodness of God that He has manifested in creation. Can we create weather patterns and systems to work together throughout the earth? No, we can only observe them. Can we create the proper balance of systems in the body? No, we can only manage them as best we can. Can we make the sinner good? No, we can only point the way to the One who does.

So you and I, the trees and rocks, the mountains and canyons, the stars and the lava under the earth, we all exist to show forth God’s glory. That is why He created all things. When we look at the universe with this in mind, we don’t have to explore with a consumer attitude – “What’s in this world for me?” – but we can discover with wonder all that is around us, and praise Him for it.

Questions to Consider

  • How does creation help you to glorify God?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 71

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Day 71

Of Creation

Chapter 4, Paragraph 1.

“In the beginning it pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,..”

Scripture Lookup

John 1:2,3.

Hebrews 1:2.

Job 26:13.

Reflection

If we grow up hearing the stories of the Bible, it can be easy to think that God was the Father in the Old Testament, and then the trinity came along in the New. After all, it seems like we don’t hear about the Son in the Old Testament, and the Spirit sort of hangs out in the background until Acts. But God never changes, and if we look closely at Scripture we recognize that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have always been, and were all instrumental in creating our world.

The Bible tells us that all three members of the trinity took part in creation. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) The account goes on: “The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” That Spirit is the Holy Spirit. While we do not have explicit mention of the Son in Genesis, we are told in John 1 that all things came into being through Him.

This once again demonstrates the intimate involvement God has with His creation. Not one person of the trinity was removed from the act of creation! God was in no way indifferent when He spoke our world into existence. This same God, this same trinity still takes an active role in upholding the world and drawing sinners to Himself.

Questions to Consider

  • Have you ever reflected upon the role of the trinity in the work of creation?