In our current series we’ve been going through an old list of questions and answers contained in the Westminster Larger Catechism published in 1648. This week I want to look at God’s work of creation.
God’s work of creation is the creation of all things that have been made. John says about Jesus: ‘Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made’ (John 1:3). Paul also writes: ‘For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him (Colossians 1:16). So whatever you see, it is part of God’s work of creation.
When did God do his work of creation? In the beginning: ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth’ (Genesis 1:1). God did not pick up the leftover pieces from someone else who started creation. God started it all.
How did God do his work of creation? By the power of his word. God spoke and his creation was made. The author of Hebrews teaches us this doctrine when he writes: ‘By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible’ (Hebrews 11:3). We also see this teaching again and again in Genesis 1 where God speaks and the world comes into being, for example: ‘Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so’ (Genesis 1:11).
How long did it take God to make creation? Six days. This is taught not only in Genesis but also in Exodus, where Moses compares the 24/7 week that the Israelites experience with the time frame of God’s work of creation: ‘For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy’ (Exodus 20:11).
But why did God make creation? For himself. Paul writes: ‘For from him and through him and to him are all things’ (Romans 11:36).
So do you recognise that God made everything or do you believe in a different god?
Joel Radford.
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