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‘Setting the record straight’




 

 

The Apostle Paul, possessed by the Holy Spirit, wrote a letter to the Colossian believers. In the letter were the following words, “For by Him (Jesus) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him…” – Col 1:16 (KJV).

All things were created by Jesus. All things.

This truth reminds me of a cookbook that Danica’s Grandma Sonja wrote. She titled it, “Recipes Created By Me.” The book was her creation.

But wait, there’s more! He also sustains everything. “The Son (Jesus) is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.” – Heb 1:3 (NIV).

Jesus is the answer as to what keeps the electron orbiting around and around the proton of a hydrogen atom. Is there really a vacuum between them? No, I don’t believe so. Rather, I believe that Jesus (who is present everywhere throughout time and space) is there to keep from falling to the ground in a mess of particles that atom along with the rest of the 7, 000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,0 00 atoms that make up your physical body. And mine. And the other 7.46 billion people on the earth.

He keeps all of our bodies intact!

Can you say, “Mind blown?” I don’t know about you, but for me, to contemplate such knowledge “is too wonderful, too lofty to attain,” to borrow the words of the Psalmist. The natural response to such a revelation is to worship God.

In his book “Desiring God,” John Piper wrote, “God is the greatest thing that exists, ever has existed or ever will exist. Therefore, for us to glorify anything else would be sin, as there is nothing greater than God; there is no calling greater than praising God. This is true not only for us, but surprisingly also for God himself; he being the greatest, to glorify anything else would be idolatry. Therefore, if the greatest thing God can do is give himself glory, and no created thing can be greater than God, then the greatest thing we can do (our purpose, you might say) is to glorify him.”

Now, let’s get down to brass tacks. We all glorify or worship something or someone or some concept. It’s how we’re wired. We were created to worship God and He alone is worthy. Yet due to our fallen nature, we will worship anything that we have deceived ourselves into thinking will bring us ultimate satisfaction. It’s what we place our hope in and it’s whatever we sacrifice our time and money to. It’s what fills our thought life. It could be a football team or a girlfriend or a new car or a superstar. (Not that these things are inherently wrong. The question is, are you seeking ultimate satisfaction by them?) This is not any different than the sacrifices made to ancient idols fashioned out of wood or stone and it’s fairly easy to tell what one’s idol is. Simply scroll down their Facebook page or scan through their bank statement. (Regarding their bank statement, be sure to ask permission first, lol.)

Jesus, the Creator and Sustainer of all things, offers something more gratifying than anything this world offers and that is eternal life! One of His apostles received such a revelation that was too wonderful for him; “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son (Jesus). Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have (eternal) life.” – 1 John 5:11 (NIV).

Why not worship Jesus instead of whatever you’re inclined to worship?

I love how He used water to illustrate this concept. He said, “Everyone who drinks this (physical) water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the (spiritual) water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” – John 4:13-14 (NIV).

Eternal life is meant to be experienced not just when we die and go to heaven, but today! We can have ultimate satisfaction in this life, regardless of our circumstances, and according to the Bible it’s found in Jesus.

Are you at this moment in a state of awe? Can you relate to the Psalmist’s words, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain?” If so, be encouraged to respond in worship by reading your Bible and praying to Him. He’s closer than you think.

~ Paul and Danica Bartelme have been married for 23 years and have three children age 13 years and under. Jacob (13), Lily (11), and Luke (10). They’ve been residents of Escondido for 12 years and love Harley motorcycles and good music. They pastor Escondido’s very own Sanctuary Church.

~ Any questions or comments regarding the story? Got an idea for a story we should write? Email us at info@sanctuaryesco.org. Or check us out on the web at www.scesco.net.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of Times- Advocate.


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