Image Is Everything

The Bible explains to us that God has created all things, seen and unseen. From the vastness of our universe, to the microscopic realm within our human bodies, the evidence of God's wisdom, power, love and creative handiwork is undeniable. As I considered this a few days ago I was struck with a thought that I think is a good one.

The Scripture account of creation is that we humans are created in the image of God. We have reason, like He does. We are able to make rational decisions, we have a sense of right and wrong and we can be creative as well, as He is. We derive these aspects of our humanity from God, because when He formed us He bestowed these things as part of our make up.

When we look at the world we see evidences of His creative work.  We see order, brilliance in the universe, a solar system working with intricate timing and interdependancy that allows life on Earth to be sustained and to flourish.  In the microscopic depths of our bodies we see the same type of systems within one human cell. The functions of our body and the processes that occur each minute, each second, are a wonder to consider and testify to the great mind and heart of the Designer Creator, God Himself.

We are formed in His image and as I thought on this it occurred to me that humanities great achievements and victories are a reflection of the image of God in us. The wonders we have created throughout history such as medical breakthroughs, technologies that enhance life, artistic masterpieces and the ways we have utilized the resources at our disposal to advance civilizations in each generation all bear witness to the image of God within us. We are creative because He is Creative. We have enhanced our situations because He has enhanced the eternal situation that is reality. Even though we have also used our creative abilities in hurtful and wrong ways, those do not diminish the creative aspect that we have from God. God will deal with those things soon.

But if we can create and achieve the wonders we have in the context of this fallen world and universe, what will we be able to do when all sin, wrongs, and hurts are removed? We will serve our Lord Jesus Christ in ways and with capabilities that are truly "beyond what we ask or think." We will have all eternity to grow, learn, serve God in His Presence and in a perfect new creation. It's all because we are created in His image and through faith in Christ we enter into a new reality that will one day surpass this broken reality we now experience.  Then the image of God in us, will have its fullest expression and fulfillment.  This is part of God's redemptive purpose in His Son Jesus Christ. We can be saved to be,  and be part of,  a new creation.

So the next time you have a great idea and it works out, it's OK to pat yourself on the back a little, because your great idea is really a part of Gods great idea, and you are simply and properly reflecting that you are created in His image.

It's Only Reasonable

In the Bible there is an account of a great king, Nebuchadnezzar who ruled over Babylon. He was a great ruler, warrior and architect.  He built temples, erected statues, and canals through his city which also had a great processional way.  The walls of Babylon were the marvel of the ancient world. Perhaps you've heard of the hanging gardens of Babylon? Nebuchadnezzar built those. In Scripture and in other ancient literature it is recorded of him that he boasted arrogantly against the true God and all the gods and religions of that time.  He bragged of his accomplishments and gloried in the great power he enjoyed and exerted however he pleased.

The Bible records that although he was warned by God in a dream that was interpreted for him by the prophet Daniel, he was not moved. He continued boasting, disregarding God and mocking, until one day he was stricken with a form of insanity.  For seven long years, Nebuchadnezzar wandered around in the fields like a beast. He lost his position, his accomplishments, all his splendor and glory.  They were all gone as he raved in the wilderness in the grip of madness.  Then Scripture records that on a particular day, for no particular reason, he looked up. In his own words, " I, Nebuchadnezzar raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him Who lives forever..." When he looked up to heaven, he came to his senses, and gave thanks to God recognizing His Lordship and eternal power. 

I think we can learn much from this record.  Like him, we have accomplished great things.  Our nation like Babylon is the envy of the world for much greater reasons.  Yet, we are in a time when we need once again to lift our eyes toward heaven.  In our national mindset we mention God, prayers, sanctity of life, and we can speak many religious buzzwords that we all know.  Yet we have forgotten that God and His Christ are enthroned in heaven and rule with ultimate power and authority. We are in need of recovering our reason.

Nebuchadnezzar recovered when he honored God.  Persons and nations can do the same.  In our time we are allowing and promoting confusion of the most serious kinds, and have descended into a national insanity that allows irrational reasoning and behaviors to be promoted as normal, and right.  The fact is that they are symptoms of madness, born of an arrogant rejection of the One True God.  We don't realize that in the rejection of the God of the Bible, we are rejecting reality itself and are losing our grip on sanity even as we watch the symptoms of insanity all around us.

How do we,"lift our eyes toward heaven?"  We begin by acknowledging our wrongs, realizing that we have sinned against God, for "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  We then lift our eyes to Jesus Christ. He is God's provision for the sin of which we are all guilty.  There is no honoring God without honoring Jesus as Lord and Savior.  He paid the full price for all of our sins. 

Nebuchadnezzar was one person who  came to his senses but his kingdom felt the impact of his decision.  Our road to recovery begins one person at a time. Is that person you?  Believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Honor Him as God.  Lift you eyes toward heaven and see how reasonable His teachings really are. You will experience the stability of mind, heart and soul that only come from God through faith in Christ.  Our nation needs reasonable men and women of God like never before. 

Become one of them. Perhaps your influence will help restore reason to this nation which is so wonderfully blessed by God!