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What is the application of Genesis 1 and 2 to the modern evangelical Believer? Last time we looked at the implications of God as Creator. Now let’s look at what it means for us to be living in a world created by God.
The World as Created
The world is good. By “good” I mean both that the things of earth are wondrous and enjoyable; and that they are right and acceptable to enjoy. The things of the earth are good things, and are meant for us to enjoy. The New Testament, particularly the writings of John, staunchly refute the contemporary gnostic teaching that physicality was opposed to spirituality—the physical being base or evil, and the spiritual being transcendent or good. Physical things are not to be rejected so that we may access spiritual things. Rather, we partake of God in all things, enjoying creation and giving thanks to him for it.
It is on purpose that God made a physical world, and it was God who pronounced it good. The world was and is good, not because Adam and Eve hadn’t sinned yet, but because God created it. Creation still serves the purpose God assigned to it. In a similar way, humans still bear the image of God, because God purposed to create us that way. The world has suffered many things since creation, some from the foolish actions of Adam and Eve in bringing down the curse on themselves and the ground, and some from the foolish actions of sinful men and women since, in abusing and polluting it.
The world is from God. The psalmist tells us that the world gives testament to the glory of God. It is a demonstration of his greatness and his goodness in gifting it to us. The Scriptures tell us to rejoice in God all the time. They tell us to be thankful all the time. In fact one of the primary attributes of the ungodly is their thanklessness. The physical creation gives us a context for doing these things.
Joy - If we learn to think of the world as from God, the things God created serve as constant reminders of who God is and what he has done for us. In this way we enjoy God by enjoying his creation. Jesus told us God is like a heavenly Father who wants to give us good things. When a child plays with a toy a parent gives him or her, there is a connection made between the child and parent through the gift, and both are happy. C. S. Lewis described the wonderful things of earth as a river, which can be traced back to its source (God). John Calvin said “There is not one blade of grass, there is no color in this world that is not intended to make us rejoice.”
Thankfulness – Every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from the father of lights. These words from James give us the perfect backdrop for being regularly thankful. Namely that we are continually surrounded by good things God has given us. As believers we are continually living in the spiritual blessings of the gospel: the reality of justification, the presence of sanctification, and the hope of glorification. All of these were purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ in obedience to the Father because of his great love. As humans, we are surrounded by the wonders of creation, given to us to enjoy.
Seeing nature as created helps draw us back to God in thankfulness.
Under Grace,
John Fritz
John Fritz is the Volunteer Coordinator for Thoughtful Life Ministries and the primary author of the Thoughtful Life Journal, which is published weekly from March through September. The purpose of this blog is to challenge and encourage those who have a desire to cultivate a more meaningful walk with Christ. Visit our Homepage to learn more about the ministry and our annual two-week summer Discipleship Program for teens and young adults.