Genesis 1:26-2:3
We
now come to the creation of humanity, male and female. Our creation is
described in a distinctive way - created in the image of God (26-27). We
are different from the rest of creation. We have been given dominion
over ‘all the earth’ and ‘every living creature’ (26,28). We are
different from God. He is the Creator. We are His creation. Created in
God’s image, we have been created by Him and for Him. Though we have
sinned (Genesis 3, Romans 3:23), now - in Jesus Christ - we have begun
to live as a new creation (Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:9-10). The
Bible teaches us that Jesus Christ is God (John 1:1) and that ‘all
things were created by Him and for Him’ (Colossians 1:16). This is the
Saviour who is at work in us, enabling us to live as a new creation!
Creation has been ‘completed’ (2:1). Salvation will be completed
(Philippians 1:6)!
Genesis 2:4-14
We
read of ‘the breath of life’, producing ‘a living being’ (7). Separated
from God through our sin, we have become spiritually dead (Ephesians
4:18; 2:1). Through the Spirit, we have been ‘born again’. This new
birth is brought about by the breath of life, the wind of the Spirit
(John 3:5-8). As the river watered the garden (10), so our lives are to
be watered by ‘the river’ which flows ‘from the throne of God and of the
Lamb’ (Revelation 22:1). As we read of the ‘tree’ which features in our
fall into sin (9; 3:2-6), our thoughts turn also to the ‘tree’ which
forms the foundation of our salvation - Christ ‘Himself bore our sins in
His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for
righteousness’ (1 Peter 2:24). In our hearts, we say, ‘God forbid that I
should glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Galatians
6:14).
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