FULL SALVATION
The Word tells us that Jesus was slain before the foundation of the world
(Rev 13:8). Thus, the transgression and failure of Adam did not take God by
surprise, as the Lord had a purpose in mind when He created man.
"In the beginning, God ..." Before anything was created, God
already existed. It is very difficult for us to comprehend that God is
"without a beginning." Also, the vastness of the universe is
incomprehensible. I have wondered why such a vast universe was brought into
being. E. W. Kenyon teaches that the universe was made for the earth, that earth was made for man, and man made for God.
Because God is a social being, (we are created in His likeness), He has,
from eternity, desired "fellowship" with a satisfaction gained from communion. with mankind. Thus, God created the universe, seeking, but never finding,
that which He desired. He returned from searching the universe, to a small
planet called "earth", and created a man in His image and likeness,
and placed him in a desirable environment. Then, He came to fellowship with
this man.
"And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden, in
the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of
the LORD God among the trees of the garden."
"And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said to him,where are
you?" Gen 3:8-9.
Adam hid from the presence of the Lord because he had transgressed the word
of the Lord to him. The Lord asked this question, not because He did not know
where Adam was hiding, but rather to expose the condition of his heart in order
to restore fellowship with him. Any counselor knows that to be successful, he
must come to the root of the problem. Here, man is hiding, but the Lord is
seeking restored fellowship. We should be encouraged in knowing that our Lord
takes the initiative in seeking fellowship with us.
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness."
Gen 1:26a.
"Let us…" This speaks of the totality of God; Father, Son, and
the Holy Spirit. Jesus was involved in our creation. "Image" has to
do with the fact that God has shape and form. He sits on a throne. He is
Spirit, but He has shape and form. He fills heaven and earth, and yet He has a
localized Presence.
"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words:
and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with
him." John 14:23.
"Likeness" has to do with our personality being like His. He,
unlimited, but we limited. As we desire to be loved and have fellowship with
others, so also, God has these desires. "Likeness" also has to do
with our moral character, meaning we have the ability to think, to choose, and
to act.
Man was formed to have fellowship with God, but there is a further purpose
- "Let them have dominion," (Gen 1:26b). This speaks of mankind being
given an authority over his environment, the climate, the weather, and over all
that was created. If this "dominion" were completely active today, there would
be none of the tornadoes, hurricanes, or the devastating storms that we
experience today. We have the authority to speak to, and calm these
storms just as Jesus did.
It was never the Lord's intention that these storms exist as they presently
do. Many say, "If there is a God, why does He permit these destructive
storms? The answer is that man chose "the tree of knowledge," to go
his own way and rule himself, apart from God.
But there is more. In redemption, we become a new creation, and all that
Adam lost is restored to us. However, earth is still out of order, groaning for the manifestation of the sons of God. It is up to us to set it right.
God created man in "His image and likeness." This speaks of a
"potential" which must be acted on. There is a present working of the
"dominion" which we gained in our redemption. It is very possible
that we can turn a hurricane, a tornado, or a bad storm if we will believe and
speak forth the authority that we received in our redemption.
Satan deceived Adam and Eve, and assumed authority that really wasn't his. It's all a deception. The earth belongs to mankind.
But when they hid from the presence of the Lord, it was the Lord who
sought to restore that which had been lost. Our "salvation" is the
beginning point of this restoration and has two purposes. The first is to
prepare us and mature us, wholeness in spirit, soul and body. There is also a present
restoration of all that Adam seemingly lost which is much neglected.
God created the earth and placed man on it with a purpose. He came "in
the cool of the evening" during which there was a special atmosphere, in
order to walk and fellowship with man. He found pleasure in doing this. He still finds pleasure in communing with you.
As far as dominion is concerned, it is up to you to exercise it.
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