‘God said ….’
What purpose is there to your life?
What purpose is there to your life?
What God wants
The Bible doesn’t present a picture of perfection from the beginning. Right at the beginning, it speaks of a cosmic cocktail into which God declares His intent and involvement to bring order. To bring ‘light’. For a ‘pre-scientific’ document, this is amazing. The picture is of development and formation amidst apparent confusion. So much for the idea that evolution can’t fit with Bible teaching! But realise also that the Bible isn’t a scientific textbook. Instead, it’s there to help us better understand our humanity, God, and the relationships God calls us to have both with Him and creation around us.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light (Book of Genesis, Chapter 1, verse 1).
What God does
When we read the opening 2 chapters of the Bible, we see how important we are to God. The Bible paints a picture of God giving humanity power and responsibility in this world, to influence and control the earth and its creatures. And in this, God shows His plan. He looks to bring His blessing and love to people and all Creation through people who will be part of this ‘light’. This was the reason for the selection of Abraham. To bring light and blessing into the whole world.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light (Book of Genesis, Chapter 1, verse 1).
What God does
When we read the opening 2 chapters of the Bible, we see how important we are to God. The Bible paints a picture of God giving humanity power and responsibility in this world, to influence and control the earth and its creatures. And in this, God shows His plan. He looks to bring His blessing and love to people and all Creation through people who will be part of this ‘light’. This was the reason for the selection of Abraham. To bring light and blessing into the whole world.
The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Book of Genesis, Chapter 12, verses 1-3).
What other way might God have chosen? Why this way?
Through people
God delights in bringing people into a place in their lives where they are meant to be. But what is this place? God has designed us, as human beings, to be God’s ‘image and likeness’. This means that He wants: for us to do the same things as He does. He wants us to be concerned about the same things that He is concerned about. So just as God gives blessing, He speaks and then it happens. His words and actions go together. And as it is for Him, He wants it to be for us.
Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites." (Book of Exodus, Chapter 19, verses 3-6)
How do you think they would feel being specially chosen by God?
How do you feel being special to God?
The One who does not fail
The first part of the Bible (which means, ‘the Books’) is the Old Testament. From the books of Genesis and Exodus onwards through to the Prophecy of Malachi, it is both a glorious and a sad story. It’s glorious in that it tells of what God wants to do in and through this people, the Jews. It’s sad in that it tells of their repeated failure to be attentive to God and to what He says and wants.
This is what makes Jesus special. He is a Jew with a difference. He comes as the ‘Messiah’, which is the Hebrew language of the Jews means ‘anointed One’. This word, in Greek, is ‘Christ’. Jesus Christ is a man specially chosen by God, who both declares what God wants and does it. Completely. He is both God’s Word and His Son: totally at one with God.
Read the Gospel of John, Chapter 1, verses 1-18.
The first part of the Bible (which means, ‘the Books’) is the Old Testament. From the books of Genesis and Exodus onwards through to the Prophecy of Malachi, it is both a glorious and a sad story. It’s glorious in that it tells of what God wants to do in and through this people, the Jews. It’s sad in that it tells of their repeated failure to be attentive to God and to what He says and wants.
This is what makes Jesus special. He is a Jew with a difference. He comes as the ‘Messiah’, which is the Hebrew language of the Jews means ‘anointed One’. This word, in Greek, is ‘Christ’. Jesus Christ is a man specially chosen by God, who both declares what God wants and does it. Completely. He is both God’s Word and His Son: totally at one with God.
Read the Gospel of John, Chapter 1, verses 1-18.
What is the relation with God that Jesus Christ makes possible for people?
How do we enter into this relationship?
To be a follower of Christ is to seek to get to the place where we are not only speakers, but doers as well. It’s not about ideas or words in the air. What God says, who we are and what we do must all flow together.
To be a follower of Christ is to seek to get to the place where we are not only speakers, but doers as well. It’s not about ideas or words in the air. What God says, who we are and what we do must all flow together.
