Christianity has always been a relationship-centered faith, revolving around a relationship-centered God. From the beginning of time, God expressed His desire for relationship through the unique creation of man in HIS image and the creation of the garden of Eden as a communion ground. This was not necessary, nor was it a prerequisite. God was well within His rights to create mankind exactly as He had made every other living beast on the Earth. He was not forced to give us free choice, sentience, or depth—His love compelled Him to. In the same way, He desires for us to seek a relationship with Him, not out of necessity, but rather out of love.
But even a rudimentary study of Biblical history will show us that we have never done a good job of holding up our end of the agreement. In the beginning, God walked with man in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3.8), but man chose sin (3.6-8), destroying that sanctuary as a result. This mistake led to the corruption of all of mankind, save Noah, and God was forced to flood the Earth in such a way as to preserve His plan (Gen 6). At a later point, God once again tried to dwell amongst men and chose to do so through the tabernacle (Ex 19-24). This symbol of God’s indwelling was not enough for the people, and soon they clamored for a physical king, rejecting God’s supreme guidance (1 Sam 8.6-18). Yet again, God tried to live with His people, this time in the form of a temple (2 Chron 5.14). However, the people once again desired to chose sin over God and ruined God’s home with His people (Hosea 4.1-14).
Finally, God was forced to leave Israel, leaving the chance of living with His people. In Ezekiel 10, God leaves the temple in Jerusalem and sits on the eastern gate, representing His departure from Israel. God no longer dwelt with man–that is until Jesus Christ. In John 1.14, Jesus became the “tabernacle” amongst men once again, but this time in a much greater way. Jesus became the clearest revelation of God (Heb 1.1-4), the fulfillment of all the law and the prophets (Mt 5.17-20), and in Him, all things came together (Eph 1.10). Jesus is the central point to the biblical narrative, and He stands as the central point to everything we know about God. The question then arises: Why does this matter?
The result may notice usual cialis generic price or grave, but can be healed with no trouble; one no more require to get panic about it. Impotence is not as damaging as viagra online respitecaresa.org it should be. These include order cialis conditions such as erectile dysfunction or male impotence. Fights female viagra sildenafil with common erectile issues, these drugs are clinically proven and safe to use.
If we are ever going to truly understand God, and His word or perfect our relationship with Him, we have got to apply the cross to any and every situation. When we approach God the Father, we must interpret His identity through the lens of the cross-displayed love of Jesus (1 John 4.8-10). When we approach the Scriptures, we must interpret it through the cross-focused lens it was designed for (Col 2.17). When we approach people, we must apply the same extravagant and incredible love of Jesus Christ on the cross (1 John 3.16). To live a Christian life means to live a cross-focused life. To serve and understand a cross-like God, we must too be cross-like people.
Bishop Darby
