“Blogging the Institutes” is my on-going attempt to paraphrase John Calvin’s work, the Institutes of the Christian Religion. You can find out more about the series in the Introduction. For all the posts in this series, check out the Master List.
The Point of Creation
God has placed us in a most beautiful place! Let’s delight in the clear and open works of God. God’s works are the first evidence of faith. Wherever we turn, we can see his handiwork. We should meditate on it for the purpose of having it draw us back to God. Therefore, it’s importance to learn about the history of creation in order that we can know what’s necessary to know about God. From studying creation, we learn that God, by his powerful Word and his Spirit, created the heavens and earth out of nothing. Then, he produced all kinds of things–both inanimate and animate creatures of every kind. He has also made an innumerable variety of objects, giving each kinds its proper nature, place and station in life.
At the same time, all things were liable to courrpution. So God provided for the perpetuation of each species. Some use rather obscure methods of reproduction, but all have a mean of continuing their species. God adorned heaven and earth most richly. They’re like gorgeously constructed and exquisitely furnished mansions. Humanity, however, was the most glorious specimen of God’s works. I’m not intending to give a detailed history of creation, so it’s enough to touch on it. I want to remind my readers that the best way to learn about creation is to get your knowledge from Moses and others who have carefully and faithfully transmitted the account of creation.
It’s not necessary to dwell long at the purpose of God’s works. That subject has been explained in great detail elsewhere. If you tried to speak of God’s wisdom, power, justice and goodness in the formation of the world, you wouldn’t be able to capture it all with your words. Still, God wants us occupied with such holy mediation so that while we contemplate the immense treasures of wisdom and goodness exhibited in creation, we will not hastily glance over them but would dwell long upon them. Since my present work seeks to instruct others, I can’t dwell on this topic.
Therefore, the readers should understand that they can genuinely understand the character of God as the Creator of the world. First, you must look at creation, not thoughtlessly or obliviously. Second, you must apply what you’re seeing to your own heart.
For example, consider how the Architect must be who ordered all the stars. He put them in their particular spots and yet allows some to move around with limits. He made them so they could be used measure day and night, months, years, and seasons. They also regulate different days to prevent confusion. We can also see his sustaining power at work in upholding such vast mass of planets and guiding the swift revolutions of the planets. These examples show that the divine perfections in the creation of the world. If you tried to cover all of God’s works, you would never come to a conclusion because there are so many striking displays of God’s power and wisdom throughout the universe!
When we observe creation, we can feel God’s power and grace toward us. Such experiences should stir up confidence in him so that we can praise and love him. The Lord himself, by the very order of creation, has demonstrates that he made all things for humanity’s sake. It’s important to observe that he created the world in six days. He could have, of course, made everything in a moment. But he decided not to and was pleased to display his care towards us. Before he formed man, he provided all the things which be useful for him. God is the most excellent Parent, who cared for us even before we were born! Why are we ungrateful towards him? It’s sinful to distrust him, especially if we think he will abandon us. Just look at all the kindness he showed us even before we existed.
Moreover, Moses tells us that everything in the world is given for humanity’s good. We won’t lack anything concerning our safety. Let’s wrap this up. As often as we call God the Creator of heaven and earth, let’s remember that he gives us all things to us. We are his children and he nourishes us and raises us up in allegiance to him. All good comes from him alone. We can have full hope that we will never suffer want of things necessary to salvation and leave us dependent on some other source. In everything, we can address our prayers to him. In every benefit we receive, we can acknowledge his hand and give him thanks. Allured by his great goodness and love, we can devoted our whole hearts to him and serve him.