|
"Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them."
(Genesis 1:26-27)
The doctrine of creation is highly relevant and gives an explanation for the universe in which we live and observe. As we have stated in our devotions last week and again this week, God is the author of it all. He created all that we see and even the things we cannot see, like faith, love, joy, reason, logic, etc. I would like for you to consider the following implication for your life from the doctrine of creation: you are created, loved, and not a mistake or an accident.
The same God who spoke the universe into existence, who carved the mountains into being, who created the stars, every living thing and cell on the planet, and everything: this God is the One and only One who created you according to His likeness, according to Genesis 1:26-27 and 9:6. This is what is meant by the Imago Dei: you and I are created in the image of God. We are unlike apes, kangaroos, plants, stars, rivers, roaches, ants, etc. All of those things are part of the created order, but mankind is unique. We have the capacity to reason, know God, commune with God, and ponder deep theological and philosophical ideas. Gorillas and orangutans will never send a person into outer space on a rocket ship.
I am reading a new book entitled, Why I Am a Hindu, by Shashi Tharoor. I am learning a lot from this popular author and Hindu leader. It is sad, however, to read what he and many other people believe. I have no disrespect or disdain for other faiths. However, as I study them, it makes me all the more thrilled to know the one, true, and living God. I am so grateful to God for the truth and for being a follower of Jesus! In book 10 of the Rig Veda, a sacred text of Hinduism written around 1500 years before Christ, there is this passage:
"Who really knows? And who can say? Whence did it all come? And how did creation happen? The gods themselves are later than creation, so who knows truly whence this great creation sprang? Who knows whence this creation had its origin? He, whether He fashioned it, whether He did not, He, who surveys it all from the highest heaven, He knows—or maybe even He does not know." (Source: Tharoor, Why I Am a Hindu, p. 8)
Of course, I disagree with Tharoor and millions of other Hindus who believe in the gods who came later than the creation. This faith offers no rational or reasonable answer to how creation came into being. If the gods did not create it, then who did? Perhaps Tharoor would counter and say it does not matter and we should simply enjoy this beautiful creation with no serious thoughts on how it all came into being.
This teaching offers little to no hope. For if we do not know Who created us or how we came into existence, then where do we obtain purpose for our lives? Christianity teaches very clearly that we were indeed created by God, and He loves us and has a wonderful plan and destiny for our lives. These blessings of forgiveness and purpose are for anyone who repents of their sins and turns to Jesus Christ in faith to save them.
|
Apple
Spotify
Deezer
YouTube
