The scriptures declare that the
physical creation and the spiritual creation share this: neither came about by
chance or evolved from nothing, but were by the forethought and a
pre-determined plan of God. The physical was made with a view to the spiritual.
The phrase "in the image of God" implies this of necessity.
God MADE him thus [Genesis 1:27; 9:6]. Christ was likewise purposed for
this reason. He was involved in both creations. "In the beginning was
the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the
beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him
nothing came into being that has come into being." ~ John 1:1-3]
"Therefore if anyone is in
Christ, he is a new creature..." ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Man was purposed to be an image of God
by his life. God so ordained it. The apostles preached this fact: "But
we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the
hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our
glory..." ~ 1 Corinthians 2:7.
Likewise, the physical nation of
Israel was 'created' with a view to the 'creation' of the spiritual nation of
Israel. [cf. Isaiah 43:1; 44:2, 21, 24 ~ Romans 4:16; 9:7; Galatians
3:7].
There are yet more similarities
between physical Israel and spiritual Israel. Of physical Israel we find: "They
have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to
anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which
are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation."
~ Deuteronomy 32:21.
The Jewish nation of Israel had
abandoned obedience to the law (read this chapter in entirety); the 'foolish
nation' was referencing the Gentiles. The Gentiles had likewise chosen to
become depraved, contrary to God's purpose for their existence [Romans
1:21-32].
God purposed for these two nations
were to become "one" through the gospel.
"The Scripture, foreseeing that
God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel
beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED
IN YOU. So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the
believer." ~ Galatians 3:8-9.
"The Gentiles are fellow
heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the
promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel..." ~ Ephesians
3:6.
"This was in accordance
with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus
our Lord..." ~ Ephesians 3:11.
"But unto them which are called,
both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and
the wisdom of God." ~ 1 Corinthians 1:24.
"But we speak the wisdom of God in
a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained
before the world unto our glory..." ~ 1 Corinthians 2:7.
"To the intent that now unto the
principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the
church the manifold wisdom of God..." ~ Ephesians
3:10.
Thanks be to God for His eternal
purpose.
7/16/2020
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