Genesis 2 - Part 2 - WHAT ON EARTH AM I HERE FOR?
Genesis 2. What an amazing chapter about the purposes of God.
I've been thinking about what Julie and I will do when we get to Sydney. Still no Pastoral position to go to as yet, but we are praying. But I know that God has a purpose for us to fulfill. We have always had a strong sense of the call of God upon our lives.
It seems that from the beginning man was given a purpose. Even before he was created from the dust of the ground, it says,
"no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground," (Genesis 2:5)
God intended Adam to accomplish His purposes even before he was created. And you and I also have a purpose on this earth. It is clear from Genesis 1 and this passage that we were created
to represent God on the earth - we are created in His image (1:27) .
We are created to exercise rulership over God's creation. (1:28)
We are created to serve and work where God has placed us (2:8)
We are created to have a personal relationship with God and listen and obey what He has to say. (2:16,17)
We are also created with a need for companionship (2:18-25).
We only have significance and identity in Christ our Creator. Worship, companionship, discipleship, ministry. It is all here.
Adam and Eve were made responsible from day one of their existence. They were to "keep" (shamar) the Garden. This word means to watch over, to guard, to keep, to look after, to take care of. So it seems to me that we also are created to be responsible-personally responsible-for the World in which we live and the way in which we live. Even the perfect, beautiful Garden of Eden had to be looked after and cared for. Adam and his helper Eve were...
to cultivate the land and keep the garden from growing out of control. (1:5)
to feed and provide for themselves. (1:16)
to look after and care for the animals. (1:19)
to worship God and obey his commands (2:15)
to share companionship and have children (1:28)
God has given each one of us a purpose in life to fulfill. We were not made to be inactive and lazy. There is a work for us to do.
"Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically." (Romans 12:11 NLT).
"Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: "Those unwilling to work will not get to eat."" (2 Thessalonians 3:10 NLT).
Like Adam and Eve every need we have is met by God physically and spiritually and we are to respond positively to Him and serve Him. What He gives we can receive, what He withholds we must reject or bear the consequences. We have an incredible opportunity to respond, worship and love our God through Christ. We have been chosen and we have a purpose.
God has given you His Word to live by and His Spirit to enable you to do so. How amazing is that!
I've been thinking about what Julie and I will do when we get to Sydney. Still no Pastoral position to go to as yet, but we are praying. But I know that God has a purpose for us to fulfill. We have always had a strong sense of the call of God upon our lives.
It seems that from the beginning man was given a purpose. Even before he was created from the dust of the ground, it says,
"no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground," (Genesis 2:5)
God intended Adam to accomplish His purposes even before he was created. And you and I also have a purpose on this earth. It is clear from Genesis 1 and this passage that we were created
to represent God on the earth - we are created in His image (1:27) .
We are created to exercise rulership over God's creation. (1:28)
We are created to serve and work where God has placed us (2:8)
We are created to have a personal relationship with God and listen and obey what He has to say. (2:16,17)
We are also created with a need for companionship (2:18-25).
We only have significance and identity in Christ our Creator. Worship, companionship, discipleship, ministry. It is all here.
Adam and Eve were made responsible from day one of their existence. They were to "keep" (shamar) the Garden. This word means to watch over, to guard, to keep, to look after, to take care of. So it seems to me that we also are created to be responsible-personally responsible-for the World in which we live and the way in which we live. Even the perfect, beautiful Garden of Eden had to be looked after and cared for. Adam and his helper Eve were...
to cultivate the land and keep the garden from growing out of control. (1:5)
to feed and provide for themselves. (1:16)
to look after and care for the animals. (1:19)
to worship God and obey his commands (2:15)
to share companionship and have children (1:28)
God has given each one of us a purpose in life to fulfill. We were not made to be inactive and lazy. There is a work for us to do.
"Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically." (Romans 12:11 NLT).
"Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: "Those unwilling to work will not get to eat."" (2 Thessalonians 3:10 NLT).
Like Adam and Eve every need we have is met by God physically and spiritually and we are to respond positively to Him and serve Him. What He gives we can receive, what He withholds we must reject or bear the consequences. We have an incredible opportunity to respond, worship and love our God through Christ. We have been chosen and we have a purpose.
God has given you His Word to live by and His Spirit to enable you to do so. How amazing is that!
