The opening words of the Bible carry incredible implications over our lives.
When I first came to New England twelve years ago, I knew that I would face ministry challenges in a post-Christian context. This became evident early on as I struggled to articulate the gospel over the radio. There are only a small number who actually appreciate the importance of our motto, “Many Voices, One Message.”
When I began pastoring my Church three years ago, the challenges became more apparent as every chance I had to share the gospel with unbelievers seemed to fall on deaf ears. The notion that it was necessary for someone to die for sin appears to them to be barbaric, outdated, or a complete overreaction on the part of God.
CREATION
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…So God created man in His own image” (Genesis 1:1 & 27). The opening words of the Bible carry incredible implications over our lives.
If you were to ask the children in our Church why they belong to God, they would tell you that it is because God created us. If you were to ask them another question, “Why does God get to make all of the rules?” They would answer, “Because God created us.” It is a simple answer, but also one of the deepest doctrines of our faith.
Mankind was made to reflect God: to worship Him and to enjoy Him forever. But Adam and Eve sinned against God by breaking a simple rule. The fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil was forbidden to them. That doesn’t seem fair or logical unless we acknowledge the fact that God created us and He gets to make the rules.
This is clear in the Ten Commandments. Of course, the basic elements of morality are there: Don’t lie, cheat, murder, or steal. But they begin with how we are to relate to God. That means that the worship of God is the highest priority.
In teaching the commandment to honor the Sabbath day and keep it holy, a little girl whose family does not attend church got tears in her eyes when she said, “I wish we came to church on Sunday.” This child understood that she belongs to God and worshiping Him comes first.
If you were to ask the children a third question, “Who is the most offended person when we sin?” They would answer, “God is.” This is because all sin is an act of defiance against the God who created us, and the God who created those that we sin against.
This year, when I got to the story where David cut off the end of King Saul’s robe, I asked the kids, “Why would it have been wrong for David to kill Saul? Didn’t he slay Goliath?” And the children understood, it was because Saul belonged to God. He was God’s anointed. God was the most offended party, and God would be Saul’s ultimate judge. David said to Saul, “May the LORD therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you” (I Samuel 24:15).
REPENTANCE
So, we belong to God because we were created by Him, but that doesn’t mean that we are living in accordance with our design. In fact, we are constantly found in rebellion against our maker.
David sinned when he took the holy bread from the tabernacle. Jesus references this story when confronting the brow beating Pharisees who were arguing about the Sabbath traditions. Jesus then quotes Hosea 6:6, “For I (God) desire steadfast love and not sacrifice.” What is it that sets David apart from Saul? They both have their long list of sins. David, however, acknowledged God and repented. That is what made all the difference.
Why is repentance so important? Because it is the acknowledgement that we belong to God and that we have been living in rebellion against Him. This is why we see the constant refrain from Jesus in the gospels saying that they have to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. We cannot claim to follow Jesus as our savior if we will not acknowledge Him as Lord of our lives.
REDEMPTION
After Adam and Eve sinned, God laid out for them a plan of redemption. God told Adam and Eve that the day they ate of the tree, they would surely die. Yet, they lived on. Does that make God a liar? Absolutely not! It shows that He is slow to anger and rich in mercy.
Instead of wiping Adam and Eve out of existence and starting over with a new creation, God promised to provide a redeemer through the seed of the woman who would crush the orchestrator of rebellion while suffering on our behalf (Genesis 3:15). Although the first proclamation of the gospel is a bit obscure, it is seen clearly in hindsight. Jesus would break the chains of slavery to sin, defeat the devil, and suffer the death sentence that we deserve.
In this selfless act, we see the complex aspects of God’s nature coming together. He is holy, so sin must be punished. But He is also loving and provides His own sacrifice for our sins. Christ has purchased us with His blood. Our debt to sin has been paid. The Apostle Paul wrote, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over former sins. It was to show His righteousness at the present time, so that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:23-26).
JUDGMENT
When John the Baptist called the people to repent, he told them that he was baptizing them with water, but warned them that the one who came after him would baptize with fire. In preparing the way of the Lord, he is telling them the judgment of God is at hand.
But just as God was gracious in delaying the punishment of Adam and Eve, the Messiah’s ministry would be marked by mercy and gentleness as well. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and forgave sinners. This has given many people the impression that we no longer need to consider the fiery judgment prophesied by John. However, Scripture still declares that when Christ returns to earth for the second time, He will pour out the wrath of God.
People struggle with this image of Jesus. The Gospels portray God as our heavenly Father and Jesus as a compassionate friend. Why do we need to talk about judgment? Because focusing solely on the love of God does not evoke the all important fear of the Lord and it diminishes the qualities of God to one aspect of His nature.
We have been privileged to live in a season of grace, but we should not be so naive to ignore the ensuing wrath of God. Let’s proclaim that we belong to God and call others to repentance. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so (Psalm 107:2), and warn others of the coming judgment.
Adam Miller is the President and host of Songtime Radio and serves as the pastor of South Chatham Community Church.
You can hear his teaching on our daily broadcast on the radio or online, watch his preaching live on Facebook, and read his articles on our website.
