God's Masterpiece

If God has made something in His image and likeness, then it can be said that He has created a self-portrait.  It goes unsaid that any self-portrait of God would be by its very nature a masterpiece.  Thus, the Bible is correct when it proclaims us to be both His "image" and "likeness" (Genesis 1:26) and "masterpiece "(Ephesians 2:10, NLT).

Incidentally, the same Greek word in Ephesians 2:10 for "masterpiece," poiéma, is also used in Romans 1:20.

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made (poiéma), so that people are without excuse.

Isn't it interesting that the Bible would have us look at ourselves as evidence of our Creator God?  Maybe we should treat each other better.  Maybe because of the simple fact that we exist, we should place true faith in Him.

Grace=Peace,

Jeremy

God Is Well-Pleased With Sons! Part 1

Isaiah 9:6-7:

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;

And the government will rest on His shoulders;

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,

On the throne of David and over his kingdom,

To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness

From then on and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.

Mark 1:11b:

You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.

There came a moment in the life of young Jewish men when they were blessed by the father with the words:  "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased."  In this moment, the father passed on to the son the full inheritance of the family.  With that inheritance came full responsibility and authority.  The honor of the father and family rested on the success of the son.  This was the power and position of sonship.

But we had a problem:  no son of ours could come to full maturity and be entrusted with the responsibilities we would pass on to him.  That responsibility of our was to ourselves obey God.  We needed a son who could obey God and to whom we could entrust our name, our honor, our duty.  God gave us a son.

As God's son, Jesus is fully able to rule and reign over all creation.  He is the Righteous One.  His kingdom is ever-increasing.

As Our son, Jesus is equally fit and able to represent us.  We are righteous in him.  Our position as ones who co-reign is secure and we are realizing our authority more and more.

Christ at work--through us--reigns!  Just as Christ is on the throne of David, a man, so man's kingdom by Christ's power is upheld with justice and righteousness.  Your sonship, your authority, your responsibility, will continue forevermore in Christ.  You are a reigning son because of Jesus.

Grace=Peace,

Jeremy