Carbon copies ∙∙

Carbon copies ∙∙

God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to be conformed to the image of his Son. – Romans 8:29

Philippians 3:7-14

 7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.

 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ

 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.

 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death,

 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

The English language is full of words rooted in technologies that are no longer used. When we email others, we often utilize two such terms: cc and bcc. These abbreviations stand for carbon copy and blind carbon copy, respectively.

The terms ‘cc’ and ‘bcc’ have an interesting origin. They were derived from carbon paper, a thin sheet coated with a dark waxy pigment. This paper was placed between two blank sheets, with the bottom one receiving a ‘carbon’ copy of what was typed or written on the top. Originally, ‘blind carbon copies’ referred to copies that were made without the recipient’s knowledge that they were duplicates. With the advent of copy machines, carbon paper became obsolete.

Despite this, the terms cc and bcc persist in our email communications. When we want to email multiple recipients, we simply cc them. When we wish to keep the recipients anonymous, we bcc them.

Every child of the King is meant to become a carbon copy of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:29 God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to be conformed to the image of his Son.

Paul clearly articulates the Father’s plan and purpose in choosing us: we are to be conformed to the image of His Son.

REFLECT & PRAY

The very idea that fallen, ungodly people “should one day be transformed into the image of Christ by a miracle of grace is one of the most astounding truths of divine revelation” (MacDonald).

Father thank You for knowing all things in advance. You have been orchestrating my life from the beginning. You have clearly stated that You want me to become more and more like your Son. Please encourage me to cooperate.

INSIGHT

The Greek term rendered as “conformed” is summorphos. It conveys the idea of being similar in nature, essence, or form. It is derived from two Greek words: sun (with) and morphe (form). Literally, it means to have the same form as another. Paul’s intention is clear: we are to be similar in nature to the very essence of Christ. The phrase “to become like his Son” has been translated in various ways: “to be like his Son” (Goodspeed), “share the likeness of his Son” (Moffatt), and “conformed to the likeness of his Son” (Barclay).

We begin an eternal relationship with the living God when we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. The Father adopts us as His children into His Forever Family. This relationship was established not merely to grant us salvation and eternal life; His eternal purpose is to make us more like Himself. He is actively working to conform us to the image of Christ.

Some of us resist or ignore the Father’s plan, but doing so is a disservice to ourselves. The Father is performing spiritual heart surgery to make us more Christlike.

What does it mean to be conformed to the image of Christ?

It means to become more like the Lord Jesus Christ in our character, actions, and essence. This metamorphosis involves:

1. Inner Transformation: The Holy Spirit works within the children of the King to bring about spiritual renewal. He changes their hearts and minds, aligning their desires, thoughts, and values with Christ’s. This process is often called sanctification. We grow in holiness, righteousness, and purity.

2. Outward Expression: The Holy Spirit brings about a behavioral change. As children of the King, we grow in our faith, love, compassion, humility, and obedience. This inner transformation becomes evident in our actions, behaviors, and interactions with others.

3. Lifelong Process: The Holy Spirit brings about continuous growth. The changes are rarely instantaneous, but rather, they continue throughout the life of a child of the King. It begins at the moment of salvation and continues throughout our lives. Over time, we become more and more like Christ, reflecting his beauty, grace, and glory to all who come in contact with us.

Philippians 3:12-14

 12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.

 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,

 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Paul acknowledges that he isn’t complete but is always striving ahead. He uses two vivid images to explain this:

1. Paul describes trying to grasp the purpose for which Christ has grasped him. When Christ stopped him on the Damascus road, Paul felt compelled to fulfill Christ’s vision for him. In doing so, he abandons his personal ambitions and goals. Christ grasps each child of the King for a purpose, so we must strive to fulfill it.

2. To achieve this, Paul says two things: he forgets what is behind him and reaches out to what is ahead. Reflecting on past achievements only leads to complacency. Instead, each child of the King should focus solely on the goal ahead, like a racer aiming for the finish line.

Paul emphasizes that the Christian life is like that of an athlete who is always pressing forward toward the goal (Barclay).

The Greek word translated as looking forward, straining forward, or reaching forward is epekteinomenos. Epekteinomenos (stretching myself out toward) is a metaphor with extraordinary vividness that envisions a runner leaning forward, sticking his neck out as he runs, leaning toward the goal. Epekteinomenosconnotes exerting the utmost energy and being single-minded, that is, laser-focused.

Romans 8:28-31

 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

 29 God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son . . ..

 31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these?

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© Dr. H 2024

Haunting taunting ∙∙

Haunting taunting ∙∙

Speaking recklessly is like the thrusts of a sword, but the words of the wise bring healing. – Proverbs 12:18

1 Samuel 1:5-18

 5 [Elkanah] loved Hannah, but the LORD had not enabled her to have children.

 6 Her rival taunted Hannah and made fun of her because the LORD had kept her from having children.

 7 Year after year, it was the same. She would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle. Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat.

 10 She, greatly distressed, prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly.

 11 And she made this vow: “O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the LORD, his hair will never be cut.”

 12 As she was praying to the LORD, Eli watched her.

 13 Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking.

 15 “Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the LORD.

 16 Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.”

 17 “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.”

 18 “Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad.

In September 2015, Dr. Sandra D. Wilson wrote Hurt People Hurt People: Hope and Healing for Yourself and Your Relationships. “Dr. Sandy Wilson knows why people hurt, where they hurt, and how to heal those hurts. She gets right to the heart of these matters in her very insightful and provocative book. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to break free from the bondage of unhealed personal hurts” (Dr. Chris Thurman, author of The Lies We Believe).

“‘Hurt people hurt people’ is more than a clever phrase; it’s a sad truth. Hurt people hurt others because they themselves have been hurt. And each one of us has been hurt to one degree or another. As that damage causes us to become defensive and self-protective, we may lash out at others. Hurting becomes a vicious cycle” (Wilson, Back Cover).

Who hasn’t been cut by taunting, cruel, and demeaning words? Most of us have been emotionally bruised by mean, spiteful, and mocking remarks. Many may have experienced physical bruises.

Physical bruises fade away, but unkind words leave deep, long-lasting scars. These verbal wounds can echo throughout a lifetime, breeding self-doubt and self-hate.

Hannah lived in a culture where a woman’s worth was tied to her ability to bear children. Women with many children were highly valued, while those with few or none were not. Her husband, Elkanah, was an exceptional man who loved her deeply, cherishing her even more because she was childless. Yet, despite his kindness, gentleness, and compassion, he could not erase the pain of her childlessness.

REFLECT & PRAY

Hurt people, hurt people!

Father thank You for understanding me and being there for me to calm my spirit and soothe my bruised emotions. How I long to recover from the emotional scars of a lifetime.

INSIGHT

Psalms 106:32-33

 32 At Meribah, too, they angered the LORD, causing Moses serious trouble.

 33 They made Moses angry, and he spoke rashly.

His ill-advised words haunted him for the rest of his life. Like any of us, Moses occasionally lost his temper and blurted out words he should never have spoken. However, as the Father’s chosen spokesman and leader, he was held to a higher standard than most.

Moses’ role extended beyond mere authority; he was a living example of godly values. Consequently, his moments of weakness carried significant repercussions. His elevated position meant that every word and deed reflected the God he served. Thus, when Moses became angry and uttered harsh words, it wasn’t just a personal fault but a violation of the sacred trust bestowed upon him.

Proverbs 12:18 Speaking recklessly is like the thrusts of a sword, but the words of the wise bring healing.

“The sense of this verse is: bad talk hurts, gentle words heal” (USB). Moses’ words were piercing, cutting harmful remarks.

The Hebrew word “bata” means speaking rashly, recklessly, foolishly, or thoughtlessly. It signifies impetuous speech. These are “words that are spoken too quickly and without adequate thought. Such hasty words are compared to sword thrusts, which are quick jabs made with a sword” (UBS). Swords are instruments of war designed to harm or kill. The word “sword” symbolizes deliberate and indiscriminate slaughter (Waltke).

In colloquial English, we might say: “His words went right through me,” “Her words cut me to the quick,” or even “Their words killed me” (Waltke).

Each of us has the power to hurt or to heal. Our words either pierce like a sword that punctures, cuts, and maims, or they provide healing, calming, and a restorative balm.

Too often, rash words are spoken without sufficient thought, control, or consideration of the consequences. Once spoken, they can never be taken back.

This single lapse in temper became a pivotal moment in Moses’ life, affecting his legacy. It prevented him from entering the promised land and served as a constant reminder of the immense responsibility that came with his leadership. Unlike others who might be forgiven and their words forgotten for similar transgressions, Moses’ outburst remained a lasting blemish on his otherwise exemplary record, illustrating the profound truth that those who lead are judged by a higher standard.

But God can help us break that cycle. He offers His healing and hope: The Lord Jesus Christ is the only all-sufficient healer for hurt people. The Father has chosen to graciously use people as His instruments of healing. He provides hope!

  • Hope that we will see more clearly how God can use our wounding experiences for good
  • Hope that our scars will one day sing the praises of our living and loving Savior, even as we embrace the reality of choice, change, and transformation
  • Hope that sees in the fragments of broken lives the reflection and triumph of Jesus’s empty tomb (Wilson, Back Cover)

Proverbs 15:4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit.

When hurtful situations arise that stir up anger, each child of the King can take a moment and reflect on how to respond. Our words can be gracious, kind, and attractive. Or they can be cruel, hurtful, and destructive. The choice is ours.

Ephesians 4:29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful so your words will encourage those who hear them.

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt.

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© Dr. H 2024

How to hug

How to hug

But while he was still a long way from home, his father saw him, and his heart went out to him; he ran and hugged his son and kissed him. – Luke 15:20

Luke 8:42-48

 42 [Jesus] was surrounded by the crowds.

 43 A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure.

 44 Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped.

 45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.”

 46 But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.”

 47 When the woman realized she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees before him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed.

 48 “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

The story goes that a 15-year-old high school student visited the school library for the first time. Walking through the stacks, he was surprised to find a book with the words “How to Hug” on the spine. Intrigued, he took it off the shelf and flipped through the pages. However, to his surprise, the book contained no advice or illustrations on how to hug. It turned out that he had mistakenly picked up the ninth volume from an encyclopedia set.

The 7 Types of Hugs & What They Mean (Abby Moore)

1. Side Hug indicates you’re not fully committed to the embrace.

2. A Friend Hug quick hug is non-sexual and non-romantic and is typically shared between friends.

3. Hugging from Behind is often seen in couples; this hug signifies bonding and the message, “I’ve got your back.”

4. Hugging Around the Waist: This intimate embrace is romantic.

5. Bear Hug (Tight Hug with a Squeeze) is suitable for close friends, romantic partners, and family members, signifying deep affection.

6. A One-Sided Hug allows one to receive comfort or support simply.

7. Heart-to-Heart Hug starting from the left side; this hug is intimate and often shared by couples seeking closeness.

New research has recognized that human touch is very therapeutic and helpful for reducing physical and emotional pain. An article from The Week magazine explains.

The healing magic of touch

“Physical touch – from a handshake to a hug – can bring significant benefits for both mind and body, lessening depression, anxiety, and even pain. That’s the conclusion of a large new analysis of research on the subject, covering 212 studies involving nearly 13,000 people, reports The Guardian (U.K.).”

“To their surprise, the researchers found that objects such as robots or weighted blankets provided similar physical benefits as human touch, although for mental health, humans were better. Women benefited more than men, and the sick or those in pain more than the healthy. Newborns benefited in particular, and a parent’s skin-to-skin contact helped them more than that of a stranger.”

“The study also found that the type and duration of touch wasn’t important, but the frequency was . . ..”

Co-author Helena Hartmann says: “More consensual touch events throughout our day can help alleviate or potentially buffer against mental and physical complaints” (The Week, April 26, 2024).

Why are touch and hugging so important? Hugging promotes emotional closeness, well-being, familiarity, and love. Hugging also releases the neurotransmitters oxytocin and serotonin, which help lower stress by reducing cortisol levels.

REFLECT & PRAY

No one ever reaches out and touches the Lord Jesus Christ without Him knowing it. Yet, the untold story is that He constantly reaches out to us. All we need to do is reach back.

Father thank You for reaching out to me, taking me in Your loving arms, and embracing me despite all my rebellion and defiance. Abba, I love You.

INSIGHT

The Story of the Prodigal Son illustrates the themes of repentance, forgiveness, and unconditional love. The fact that the Father sees his son when he is a long way off (Luke 15:20) indicates that he’s eagerly awaited his return. The father’s immediate reaction is sympathy and love. He runs to meet him. It is very undignified and unusual for an elder to run. This indicates his tremendous joy and eagerness to be reconciled. When the Father reaches his son, even before the son can express regret or make a plea for mercy, he hugs and embraces his lost son and kisses him.

Hugging and kissing symbolize the father’s unconditional love and readiness to forgive. This physical embrace reassures the son of his place in the family and exemplifies the theme of grace. It demonstrates that the father’s love remains steadfast regardless of the son’s past actions.

This intense moment encapsulates the essence of the parable: the father’s boundless, forgiving love mirrors God’s unlimited love for humanity, always ready to welcome back those who repent and seek forgiveness.

The touch of the Lord Jesus Christ is without equal. It shows His unlimited power over nature, sickness, and death. He multiplied food to feed thousands and walked on water. His touch cured people of various infirmities and restored life to the dead (Buckwalter).

But there’s more.

The Lord Jesus Christ was a supernatural source of health and life. During His time on earth, He routinely performed miraculous feats. He healed the lame, the mute, the blind, and various diseases, and He even raised the dead. Wherever there was sickness and death, He brought health and life, as seen in the healing of the centurion’s servant and the raising of Lazarus.

In Luke 8:46, Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” A woman who had suffered from constant bleeding for twelve years came to Lord Jesus Christ in desperation. She snuck through the crowd, approached Him from behind, and touched the fringe of His robe. Instantly, Jesus felt His healing power pulse out from Him, and she was healed immediately.

Jesus then spoke to her, saying, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace” (Luke 8:48).

How did He do this? Perhaps the Lord Jesus Christ functioned like a modern-day battery. Instead of being charged with electrical energy, He was a repository of life and health. He discharged health, like a battery that transfers energy to operate devices like cell phones or tablets. A mere touch was all that was needed, like receiving a shock from static electricity today.

A lovely, enchanting facet of this story is that from the moment Lord Jesus Christ was face to face with the woman, it seems that no one else existed but the two of them. Despite being in the midst of a crowd, the crowd faded away, and the Lord Jesus Christ spoke to her as if she were the only person in the world. She was a poor, unclean, socially isolated, seemingly insignificant sufferer. Jesus devoted all His attention and care to her alone (Barclay).

The woman’s twelve years of suffering ended abruptly by simply reaching out to Jesus in faith.

He touched me

Shackled by a heavy burden, ‘Neath a load of guilt and shame.

Then the hand of Jesus touched me, And now I am no longer the same.

He touched me, Oh He touched me, And oh the joy that floods my soul!

Something happened and now I know, He touched me and made me whole.

Since I met this blessed Savior, Since He cleansed and made me whole,

I will never cease to praise Him, I’ll shout it while eternity rolls.

He touched me, Oh He touched me, And oh the joy that floods my soul!

Something happened and now I know, He touched me and made me whole.

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© Dr. H 2024

Ordinary people extraordinary intercession ∙

Ordinary people extraordinary intercession ∙

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. – James 5:16

James 5:17 Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain and that there would be no rain on the land for three years and six months!

1 Kings 17:1-2

 1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”

 2 The word of the LORD came to him, saying . . .

Rees Howells became a child of the King during the Welsh revival in 1904 and gained recognition for the extraordinary results of his intercessory prayers. In 1924, inspired by the Moody Bible Institute, he established the Wales Bible College. He started teaching students the art of intercessory prayer.

In the spring of 1942, Rees Howells and a group of 120 intercessors started praying for the defeat of Erwin Rommel, known as “the Desert Fox,” and his Afrika Corps in North Africa. Rommel posed a significant threat to the Suez Canal and the Promised Land. On July 4, 1942, Howells declared, “Unless God will intervene on behalf of Palestine, there will be no safety there for the Jews. These Bible Lands must be protected because it is to these lands the Savior will come back.”

Howells prayed specifically, asking, “Unless there is a special reason for Egypt to fall, don’t let Alexandria be taken, but give Rommel a setback.” That afternoon, they dedicated their time interceding with God to save Alexandria and shift the battle’s direction in North Africa. Their prayers seemed to be answered almost immediately, with the results becoming apparent the next day.

On July 5, 1942, the dramatic impact of their prayers was revealed. The remaining British Army forces, consisting of about 5,000 soldiers, 50 tanks, and 50 field guns, were all that stood between Rommel’s tanks and Alexandria. Despite the Germans’ superior firepower, an incredible event occurred: “1100 men of the 90th Light Panzer Division, the elite of the Afrika Korps, surrendered. Their swollen tongues were protruding from their mouths, and in desperation, they grabbed water bottles from our men and gulped down life-saving swallows.”

Major P. W. Rainer, who was responsible for supplying water to the British Eighth Army, explained the Germans’ unexpected surrender. The enemy had been without water for twenty-four hours when they overran the British defenses and discovered a 6-inch water pipe. They shot holes in it and drank deeply, only to realize afterward that it was seawater. The pipe had just been laid, and Major Rainer had begun testing it. Freshwater, however, was never used for tests on pipes because it was too precious. “Two days later, it would have been full of fresh water. . .. The Nazis didn’t detect the salt at once because their sense of taste had already been anesthetized by the brackish water they were accustomed to and by their extreme thirst.”

Rees Howells was an ordinary man with an extraordinary faith. His fervent intercessory prayer received a remarkable answer. The powerful and effective prayers of righteous intercessors led to a miraculous outcome, literally turning the tide of the war in North Africa. Not long after, “The Desert Fox” left North Africa in defeat with his tail between his legs.

REFLECT & PRAY

“Prayers are heard in heaven in proportion to our faith. Little faith gets very great mercies, but great faith still greater” (Spurgeon).

Father in many respects, I am just an ordinary person. I aspire to have an extraordinary relationship with my extraordinary Father God. Please make it so.

INSIGHT

Elijah was the first Jewish weatherman. But he was no superhero. “Elijah was a weatherman for three and a half years, and for three and a half years, he held back the rain! It did not come until he prayed. You are the same kind of person Elijah was. . . But he was a man who prayed with passion” (McGee).

James 5:17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!

e. Although he was an ordinary person, he had an extraordinary relationship with God the Father and great fervency in prayer.

In Greek, the words translated as prayed earnestly are proseuchomai proseuche. The word pray proseuchomai (a verb) and prayer proseuche (a noun) are used side-by-side. This type of construction is common in Hebrew and Aramaic to emphasize a concept. It intensifies the verb. It is called a semeticism. The Greek could be literally rendered as “he prayed a prayer,” or perhaps “he prayed with prayer” or “in prayer, he prayed.” We might say today he prayed earnestly, he prayed fervently, he prayed powerfully, or he prayed effectively.

The point is that Elijah is just an ordinary person who knew the Father’s will for the moment and received extraordinary answers. Every child of the King can pray like Elijah.

1 Kings 17:1-2

 1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”

 2 The word of the LORD came to him, saying . . .

1 Kings 18:1 Now it happened after many days that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the face of the earth.”

Every year, NFL teams draft new players to join their franchises to integrate them into the team and boost their chances of winning.

Behind the visible events on Earth, an invisible war rages. The Father is always at work and invites us to join Him in the battle. Among our primary weapons is prayer. The Father raises up intercessors to fulfill His will and combat the enemy in the spiritual realm.

The goal of prayer is to bring the Father’s will into existence on earth as it is in heaven. Earnestly praying for His will to be done is one way we participate. However, the key to receiving answers lies not merely in our earnestness but in discerning the Father’s will and fervently praying it into existence.

1 Timothy 2:1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them, intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

The Greek word translated as intercession is enteuxis. It is the word used for intercessory prayer. An enteuxis was a formal request, a petition made to a higher authority.  It comes from the verb entugchano. Entugchano connotes a sense of belonging, which includes freedom of access. We might say today, “They belong here; they are family.” It came to mean boldly coming into the presence of God to make intercession for oneself or others.

“The Church has not yet touched the fringe of the possibilities of intercessory prayer. Her largest victories will be witnessed when individual Christians everywhere come to recognize their priesthood unto God and day by day give themselves unto prayer” (John R. Mott, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1946).

Is the Father inviting you to intercede for your family, circle of friends, our country, or current world events?

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© Dr. H 2024

Who is the image of the invisible God? ∙

Who is the image of the invisible God? ∙

You alone are the LORD. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all, and the angels of heaven worship you. – Nehemiah 9:6

Colossians 1:15-19

 15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,

 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see – such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.

 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.

 18 Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.

 19 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ.

Since the dawn of time,  people have pondered the origins of Earth, the stars, human and animal life. How did it all begin? Who created the heavens and the earth? Across the globe, various religious beliefs suggest less than satisfying answers. The Scriptures answer emphatically that God is the creator of everything.

The truth of the Scripture is infinitely layered. It has been revealed progressively over roughly 2000 years. It begins with a simple statement.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

In simple, unambiguous language, God is the creator of all that exists. Considered the supreme being, God created everything with a simple word.

Genesis 1:1 is a one-line summary. It introduces the rest of Scripture, where the details are elaborated. For example, Genesis 1 covers the six days of creation, while Genesis 2 focuses on the creation of Adam and Eve.

Psalms 33:9 For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command.

Isaiah 45:11-12

 11 This is what the LORD says – the Holy One of Israel and your Creator . . ..

 12 I am the one who made the earth and created people to live on it. With my hands, I stretched out the heavens. All the stars are at my command.

The Old Testament reveals God’s triune nature, though the Son and the Holy Spirit are somewhat veiled and elusive. Most attention is given to the Father, who is often called the Lord, Yahweh, or God.

The New Testament elucidates further, revealing that the Trinitarian Godhead is a unity of distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

REFLECT & PRAY

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation. – Colossians 1:15

Father thank You for the clarity You have provided regarding creation and the Lord Jesus Christ. While hard to grasp, knowing and understanding that the Lord Jesus Christ is the visible expression of the invisible God is astonishing yet marvelously true.

INSIGHT

John 1:3 and Hebrews 1:2  hint at a rather astonishing and previously undisclosed truth: The Father created everything through the Son.

John 1:3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.

Hebrews 1:2 God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son, he created the universe.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the member of the Trinitarian Godhead responsible for the creation and maintenance of all that is.

Colossians 1:15-19

 15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,

 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see – such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.

 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.

The Father God brought all creation into being through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Further, the Lord Jesus Christ holds all of creation together. Historically, theologians have referred to Him as the agent of creation. He is the one through whom everything came into existence.

But there’s more.

Colossians 1:15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation.

Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

What does the phrase mean, “The Lord Jesus Christ is the firstborn of all creation?” This is not about His physical birth. But instead, the relationship between the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father. He is the eternal Son and heir of the heavenly Father. “The use of the word ‘born’ or ‘begotten’ emphasizes the unique relationship between God and Jesus, which is best expressed in terms of father and son; unlike all other human beings, Jesus’ relation to God is not expressed in terms of creature and creator” (UBS).

This expression is translated in many ways. The World English Bible (WEB), an updated revision of the 1901 American Standard Version (ASV), renders it “He takes precedence over all the created universe.” The New English Bible NEB translates it as “his is the primacy over all created things.” Lightfoot paraphrases: “He is the Firstborn and as the Firstborn, the absolute Heir and sovereign Lord, of all creation.” The term firstborn emphasizes the position of the Lord Jesus Christ as the heir of His heavenly Father.

The Greek word translated as firstborn is prototokos. Prototokos is derived from protos – first and tikto – to bear, bring forth. Prototokos is “often used in the literal sense of the first to come from the womb, takes on a metaphorical significance based on the ancient attribution of preeminence to the first to be born” (Moo).

When people seek to know what God is like, the answer is the Lord Jesus Christ. To see Jesus is to see the Father.

John 14:9 He who has seen Me has seen the Father.

We gain insight into God’s character and essence as we get to know the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul gets even more specific, explaining this truly extraordinary fact.

Colossians 1:15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.

If you want to see the Father, look at the Son.

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© Dr. H 2024