Merry Christmas!

Let me begin my wishing everyone a merry Christmas 😀.

I’m not creative. At times I liked to think that I was, but I realize now that I’m not – at least not in comparison with so many other wonderful people. But I’ve spent my life appreciating what others have created, most of all, the Lord himself.

Sceptics dismiss creation as an argument for God’s existence and goodness. But as a believer, I see God’s handiwork in creation. What about all the bad things in creation? Scripture teaches that we live in a flawed world.

After Adam and Eve sinned, the world changed. Some don’t believe in a literal Adam and Eve. I like to generally take the Scripture at face value. Over the years, I’ve read many books attempting to reconcile evolution etc. with the Bible account. I’m never all that happy with any of them, though I realize that the Bible does probably present a very simple picture.

So even if things are more complex, the fact remains that creation seems to fall short of what it should be and will be. And the blame doesn’t lie with God, but with us. Why should I be blamed for what Adam and Eve did? Well don’t I repeat their sin everyday? – by putting God out of the picture and doing as I choose without considering his commands and guidance. But there’s a way back to God for all of us. There’s a Saviour, and one day, there will be a new heaven and a new earth. And we’re all invited.

Romans 8:18-25
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

The Bible concludes with the promise of a new creation, but we ourselves become part of the new creation when we believe:

Rev 21:5
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

2 Cor 5:17
¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!