The Grapevine
Number 123                                                                       
March 4, 2006
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15

The Creator and His Creation
by Jack Northart

There many things in life that just believe as true. For example, people think that if a person is religious that he is closer to God. This is not necessarily the case.

Religions comes in all sizes, shapes and colors, and they don't have to include God or Jesus Christ. People can be religious about a football team. They are so zealous for their team that they paint their house with the team colors, and decorate the inside of their house with team paraphernalia. They have archives of great games, autographs of the players, team photos, videos of great games, and the list goes on. They are completely devoted to their football team, and may never ever mention God in any conversation, let alone worship Him. They are, however, very religious.

Another example of people taking things for granted is that science and God are complete opposites. This assumption could not be farther from the truth. God created the heavens and the earth, and set the stars in their courses. He created science! All of the laws of the universe were established by God in the beginning.

The renown rocket scientist, Dr. Wernher von Braun was quoted in 1976 as saying: "After years of probing the spectacular mysteries of the universe, I have been led to a firm belief in the existence of God. When science and religion are properly understood, they are not antagonistic pursuits, but rather "sister disciplines." Through the scientific method, one learns more about "creation," whereas, by virtue of the study of religion, one gains greater insight into the Creator."

Perhaps Dr. von Braun meant to say "spiritual knowledge" that comes from the Bible rather than religion.

II Peter 1:2-3
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.

These two verses are loaded with insight into God's will for us. To begin with, it states, "Grace and peace be multiplied..." to us, through or by way of, the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Sometimes Christian people are the least gracious and have no idea what peace is. Yet, it states here in verse 2, that these two things are MULTIPLIED to us. How? Through the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ. That could only mean that the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, which these people think they have, must be a bit askew. Why would this be the case? The answer is in the next verse. "According as his divine power hath given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him...." The Greek word for "godliness" in this verse is eusebeia, and it means "a true and vital spiritual relationship." It's all in God's Word. As we study God's Word and act on it, we develop this true and vital relationship with Him. Grace and peace become part of the fabric of our lives.

Science does indeed fit into the grand scheme of God's universe. The scientific laws of the universe work to man's benefit. Certainly there are people who misuse and abuse these laws for their own benefit, but they are still there for our benefit and use. These laws could fall under the category of "life" mentioned in verse 3. God alone conceived, designed, and ordered life - all of it, from man to the animals to the ecosystem to the entire universe.

Psalm 19:1-4
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Their line [voice] is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun.

Is there a story being told in the heavens? According to Psalm 19, the heavens declare God's handiwork. What is the story?

Genesis 1:14-15
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

When God placed the stars in heaven, it was to divide the day from the night, and to be for signs and for seasons and for days and for years. When the Magi came looking for the new born Christ-child, it was because they saw the sign of "his star" in the sky. It was a sign that was given to them from the heavens. They were aware of this tremendous truth that is mentioned in Genesis.

God also said when He placed the stars in the heavens that they were to "...to give light upon the earth: and it was so."  The focal point is the earth and the lights were made to give light upon the earth. The earth was the purpose of the universe, and man was the reason for the earth.

Genesis 1:28-30
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

The earth was designed to physically support man. God made the earth for man. So then what is the reason for man? God.

Ephesians 1:4-6
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

God created man for Himself, so that He could have a wonderful relationship with him. Children that would love Him and that He could bless and take care of. We are the culmination of God's dream. He is our Father who loves us. He is our Creator and we are His creation.