Question from a friend of WordTruth Press:
>>> What real significance does the universe have to God?
If he is wholly unaffected by it, cannot grow, etc., then how is it anything
more than a matter of complete and total divine indifference?
WordTruth Press Response:
I'm not sure where you got the idea that because God is immutable that
He is indifferent. Perhaps it was a misunderstanding of the concept
of immutability (see How can an unchanging God
relate to an everchanging world?). Understand that the universe
has great significance to God. As we see in the Bible, God interacts
in various ways with His creation. Most notably, we find that some
things please God and other things cause Him sorrow. Again, God designed
man for fellowship with Him.
The problem occurred when the first man and woman disobeyed God, committing
the first sin. We read about this in Genesis 3. As a result of their
rebellion, the human race was plunged into sin. Every person born
of Adam (the first man) has a sin nature and is incapable of fellowship
with God. The spiritual nature is considered "dead
in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1, NKJV).
Yet God loves you and I (and every other member of the human race),
desiring to have a meaningful relationship with us. You are so significant
to God that He took the radical step of becoming a man, Jesus Christ, with
a mission of redemption. Jesus Christ, born of a virgin and without
the Adamic sin-nature, lived a sinless life. As God He could not
sin yet as a man he faced temptations just as we
do. Jesus Christ then willingly allowed Himself to be crucified so
that He could offer Himself as a sacrifice for sins. "Christ
died for sins, once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring
you to God" (1 Peter 3:18, NIV). Then Jesus
Christ rose from the dead on the third day, proving that He is the LORD
God in human flesh with authority to forgive our sins and the power to
grant eternal life to all who believe in Him.
How much more significant can you be to God? And how much more can God
do to demonstrate that He cares for you?
May God bless you with His wisdom and the courage to follow Jesus!
Randy Lariscy :-)
President - WordTruth Press℠
© Copyright 6/4/2002, Randy Lariscy.
