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Created Through Him

Creator is righteousness

2/19/2012

11For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. 13Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hates you (1 John 3: 11-13).

The epistle of 1 John was written by the apostle John. In many ways the epistles of John are a continuation of the Gospel of John. A common theme in all of John’s writings is love. In these verses from 1 John, love is again mentioned. In this case it is love between people. This kind of love has existed since the beginning of creation. The love we have between one another is part of what God created. Love was created to foster relationships.
John exhorts us to love one another. The love that comes from the Creator allows for relationships to be strengthened. John contrasts the effect that God’s love has on relationships with the effect that evil has on relationships. Evil is a work of Satan. Satan is contrary to God’s love and Satan is the enemy of both God and God’s people. So we should not be surprised then, if even as we love other people, we become hated. The reason is simple albeit unfortunate; the world under the influence of Satan is in rebellion against the Creator and therefore hates all things related to the Creator, even His love. But we are to love people even if their response is not what we would want. We should love all people out of obedience to our Creator, as this is what He desires. We are only therefore reasonable for our actions not the responses or actions of others. Our Creator will work all things out according to His righteousness. The Creator is righteousness.

Creator is longsuffering

2/18/2012

2That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3: 2-9).

The apostle Peter in his second epistle draws our attention to the history of the world and to the history of creation. The purpose of drawing our attention to history is to provide background for future events. Peter is reminding us that there is nothing that is new since the very beginning of creation and that many people are willingly ignorant of both the promises and judgments of the Creator. The term willingly ignorant is an interesting one. It is really a denial of the known truth. We are also warned that in the last days there will be scoffers, those that mock the truth of God. So truth is both denied and mocked. Unfortunately, the truth of God seems to be denied and mocked with increasing frequency in our world.
The truth is that God has promised that He will one day return to restore His creation. Additionally, God will bring final judgment to the world as well. God’s delay in returning is actually for our corporate benefit. We should do all in our power to help reach those who are apart from Christ while there is still time. God in His infinite mercy and longsuffering is allowing time for all who will come to him to do so. The Creator is longsuffering.

Creator is foreknowledge

2/17/2012

1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1: 1-5).

Peter is writing to believers that were dispersed throughout Asia Minor. They were undergoing persecution for their faith and Peter was encouraging them. Peter is reminding believers that they are chosen and kept by God.
The Creator, according to His will and foreknowledge, chooses those who will be faithful. The idea of foreknowledge likely seems foreign to us. We are utterly incapable of having foreknowledge ourselves so it may be difficult for us to understand how God chooses according to His foreknowledge. This is where the distinction between the Creator and the created (us) is very profound. The Creator sees from an eternal perspective (outside of time), and we on the other hand see from a temporary and limited perspective-we see only in the present. It is for our own good that the Creator sees from an eternal perspective. We are kept by His power precisely because His perspective is outside of time. In short, He knows past, present and future simultaneously and therefore His actions are always related to the truth. This is the case in all situations and across the entire time continuum. The Creator’s foreknowledge keeps us unto salvation. The Creator is foreknowledge.

Creator is immutable and consistent

2/16/2012

17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures (James 1: 17-18).

The Lord’s half-brother wrote the epistle of James. James did not initially belief Jesus (John 7:5) however after the resurrection he became the leader of the church in Jerusalem. A major theme of the epistle of James is the proper relationship between faith and works. James says that genuine faith will produce works and any faith that does not produce good works is a dead faith (James 2:20).
In verses 17 and 18, we learn that the Creator is the Father of lights and that He is immutable (not changing-no variableness). We are a special creation and were spoke into existence. Therefore, God is the immutable cause of creation. The immutable nature of our Creator should be a source of comfort to us. In a world that seems to be out of control, we can draw strength from the knowledge that our God is consistent and unchanging. He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The Creator is immutable and consistent.

Creator is the brightness of glory

2/15/2012

1God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: 4Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they (Hebrews 1: 1-4).

The author of Hebrews is not known. However, Hebrews has been accepted as Holy Scripture from the very early days of the faith. The epistle addresses several issues including creation, persecution and Christology. The Christology is described in terms of Christ as High Priest on the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5,6,7). The order of Melchizedek is one of everlasting righteousness. Therefore, as High Priest, Christ is righteous and everlasting and He intercedes on behalf of all believers.
In the opening verses of Hebrews we are reminded that the world is both created and sustained through Christ. It was God the Father’s good pleasure to have Christ as Creator and Sustainer of the universe. Christ is the brightness of God’s glory and He is the center of the universe. He is to be worshipped by humans and angels alike (verse 4). So, from the epistle to the Hebrews we learn that our Creator sustains us and intercedes on our behalf. We have a Creator that knows the very depths of His creation and upholds it by His glory. The Creator is the brightness of glory.

Creator is payer of our debt

2/14/2012

15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 17If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 19I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides (Philemon 1: 15-19).

The apostle Paul was writing to Philemon regarding Philemon’s slave, Onesimus. Onesimus was from Colossae (Colossians 4:9) and had become a believer at some point during Paul’s ministry. Apparently from the context of Paul’s letter to Philemon, Onesimus had run away from Philemon. Onesimus had not been freed from being a slave. Paul is writing therefore on behalf of Onesimus. Paul loved Onesimus and he was suggesting to Philemon that Onesimus’s conversion was the true blessing to be realized. This was true even if Onesimus had departed from Philemon. Onesimus and Philemon were now brothers in Christ. In verse 15, we see that this is an eternal relationship. Additionally. Paul is asking Philemon to place any cost upon Paul not Onesimus.
As we have noted throughout our study of the creation and the Creator, relationships are important. The Genesis account shows our original relationship with the Creator in the beginning as one of harmony and proximity. After the Fall of Man in Genesis 3, the relationship is marred. But we know from scripture that the Creator has a plan for the restoration of a proper relationship to His creation. The restoration of Onesimus is a representation of each of our own restorations through faith in Christ. Like Paul’s appeal to Philemon to place anything owed by Onesimus on Paul’s account, Christ places our debt on His account. This results in the restoration of our relationship to the Creator. The Creator is the payer of our debt.

Creator is zealous for good works

2/13/2012

11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works (Titus 2: 11-14).

The apostle Paul wrote the letter to Titus. Titus was a Gentile convert who was very active in ministry with Paul. We know that Titus preached in several places including Corinth and Crete and he was present at the Jerusalem Council (Galatians 2:1). Titus was an important early believer who had a major impact on the spread of the Gospel.
In these verses Paul is reminding Titus of the blessed hope that will one day occur. This blessed hope is the glorious return of Christ to earth. Recall that in the beginning that the Creator was with Man on earth (Genesis 3: 8). The blessed hope that Paul speaks of is a return to the way it was immediately before the Fall of Man in Genesis 3:8. This is the same pattern we have spoken about several times during the past few months; Paradise lost will be Paradise restored upon Christ’s return. We should eagerly await the blessed hope. However, while we wait, Paul reminds us that we are to avoid ungodliness and worldly lusts, and we are to live a sober, righteous and godly life. In short, we should live as if the blessed hope will occur at any moment. If we live life in the light of eternity, we will be ready at all times for Christ return. And perhaps more importantly we will do what our faith mandates: be zealous for good works. While our good works do not and cannot save us, the proper response to our faith is obedience to God. The Creator is zealous for good works.

Creator is the abolisher of death

2/12/2012

7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1: 7-10).

The second letter to Timothy is likely Paul’s last letter before he was executed under Emperor Nero. Paul is making sure that Timothy is grounded in sound teaching. There is a whole lot of theology in these verses. Paul reminds Timothy that he has been given the gifts of a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Timothy is to use these gifts to continue to preach the Gospel unashamedly without fear.
It is important that the correct gospel be preached but it is equally important to preach it with love. In verse 9, we are reminded that God saves us and calls not according to what we do or who we are but according to His gracious purposes. The Creator gave these gracious purposes to us through Christ even before the world began. This fact should cause us to pause and be thankful. Our response then in love should be to preach the good news that Christ defeated death and offers all who will come to Him everlasting life. In a world that deeply needs to be restored to life there is no greater good news. The Creator is the abolisher of death.

The Creator is King, eternal, immortal, wise and worthy of honor and glory

2/11/2012

15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen (1 Timothy 1: 15-17).

The apostle Paul wrote this letter to Timothy. Timothy was a student of Paul’s. Paul is emphasizing to Timothy the importance of correct teaching. Paul begins by discussing the purpose of Christ coming into the world. Christ came into the world to save. Paul had been a persecutor of the early church and therefore he had much to be forgiven. Paul uses his own story to reveal the amazing grace and mercy of God. The mercy shown to Paul came at a cost, but Paul always rejoiced in his suffering because he knew that he had benefited and would benefit greatly. Paul would spend eternity with Christ.
In this passage Christ is described as King, eternal, immortal, invisible, and wise. Christ is to receive honor and glory. Christ is God. All of these attributes are those of the Creator. Our response to God for his mercy should be like the apostle Paul’s response. We should display God’s grace and mercy in our lives. We should be forever grateful. The Creator is King, eternal, immortal, wise and worthy of honor and glory.

Creator is caller

2/10/2012

13But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 2: 13-14).

Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians contains a lot of evidence of God’s sovereignty. Sovereignty is really about causation and ownership. The Creator is over all of creation. His sovereign choices and election are described using words suggesting ownership. Words such as bound, chosen and called, reveal God’s role in salvation. The Creator’s sovereignty extends even to salvation. God chooses us from the beginning, even before we were born. This is not a new theme; we have seen it throughout our study of scripture over the past few months.
The method of the Creator’s sovereign selection is discussed in verse 14 as well. The method of selection is a calling to the Gospel. Therefore, those that are called by the Gospel believe the Gospel. Being called by the Gospel results in faith. Then after faith the work of the Holy Spirit sanctifies us. These processes are in the form of the covenant we have mentioned throughout our study, “We shall be His people and He shall be our God”. The Creator is the caller.

Created Through Him