THE NEW CREATION

The Days of Creation in Genesis 1 & 2

Time with Jesus
 11 June 2013

Hi all, 

Genesis 1 and 2 are amazing. The content itself is a miracle. It is a step by step account of God creating this world, along with everything in it and around it. I’m told that it is also a miracle of mathematics. 

Day 1

The original Hebrew has been written with such precision and harmony. Not even a genius could compile such a magnificent work of literature. In other words, it was written by a mind so superior to ours, the difference is astronomical. I think I’ve mentioned this before, but it is worth repeating. Only a supernatural mind could have compiled the content of these two chapters.

Day 2

Those familiar with the creation account, will recall that God created our world in six days. On the seventh day He rested. The precise meaning of this has been debated endlessly. Does this mean 6 X 24 hour days as we understand them, or is there another understanding we have all missed? Frankly, none of us know, with any degree of certainty. 6 X 24 hours is very convenient.

Day 3

Unfortunately, night and day as we understand it is governed by the speed or rotation of the earth. For me to say it has always been like this is an assumption, I’m in no position to make. However, if you insist on 6 X 24hour days I, for one, will not fight you.

Day 4

What I’d like us to consider is the fact that God rested on the seventh day. How long was God at rest? First we must realise that He did not rest because He was tired. God is not, was not and never will be that way. The incarnate body of His Son Jesus was able to be exhausted. But the Father and the Spirit cannot ever be so! They are complete in every way and need nothing. It follows that they can never be tired. If they could, they couldn’t be God.

Day 5

Thus the term, “God rested” means that He ceased creating. The NLT expresses it rather well: ² On the seventh day God had finished His work of creation, so He rested from all His work. Gen 2:2 NLT God had finished His work of creation. We are told, according to Gen1:31, He was pleased with what He had done. There was nothing further for Him to create at that time. So He ceased creating. All was as He planned and intended.

Day 6

To the best of our knowledge, God did not create anything from then on. Years came and went. The flood came and went; the Old Testament time came and went; Jesus came, visited us, was crucified and died. God had not created anything new. Then His Father raised Him from the dead. 

Day 7 God Rested

This was the first creative act of God since He created the world. The action of raising Christ from the dead in a new , is when He began to create once more. He has been creating ever since then. You and I are part of His new creation. We don’t look any different. But we are told that we are a new creation. Writing to the Corinthians Paul stated ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

The 6 Days of Creation

So once more, God is busy creating. This time, He started with Jesus Christ; in this instance the Second Adam. You and I are members of His Bride. In a sense, we might say we are collectively the new Eve! I’m not seeking to make a new theological point. Rather, I’m using this to illustrate how close we are collectively to Jesus Christ, our heavenly bridegroom. Genesis tells us that Adam was thrilled when Eve was brought to him. We are not told about Eve’s reaction. 

The New Creation

All we can say is that when we are complete as His bride, He will come for us. When I think back on my wife’s excitement (and mine) at being brought together and married, think of how Jesus will feel and how excited we should feel, about our forthcoming wedding to Him. Frankly, I can hardly wait.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 11 June 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	THE NEW CREATION
One of the most difficult things we ever do, is start afresh. It nearly always comes about as a result of a change in circumstances. Something happens and life demands a new start elsewhere. My father was a highly skilled turbine specialist. He trained as an apprentice working for a company called C A Parsons. (UK) His forte’ was power stations or similar rotating equipment. He started working for them in 1932. He was 15. Dad had a natural aptitude for this type of work. As a result he was soon working in what was called the Outside Department. Initially he focused on overhauls and gained a reputation for first class work. So much so, when war broke out in the UK in 1939, he was immediately classified as an essential worker. So he spent most of WW2 travelling round UK repairing and re-commissioning a variety of equipment wherever he was needed. It meant lots of travelling. I’m told that because there was a “war on” he had some difficulty getting a week off even for his own wedding! That took place in June 1940. I was born in March 1942. Being married and having a young child, didn’t enable him to spend more time with his family. The demands of war meant that he kept traipsing from place to place. After the war, the pace slackened off a little. Then there was a great demand to replace and install new equipment all over UK and many Commonwealth countries. He was asked to go to South Africa. New installations with larger turbines were being installed; that’s where he was needed. The three of us landed in Cape Town in 1947. Mom told me, that when she first saw Cape Town, it looked like Fairy Land. Once again the three of us lived a nomadic life. It would have continued that way but for the fact that I had to start school. So every year or so I would start attending a different school. Such a lifestyle does little toward helping anyone put down societal roots. Accordingly, new beginnings were par for the course for me! There’s a world of difference between a new beginning and a new earth. A new beginning retains the essentials of normal life. Things remain much the same. People are people. Houses, schools and all forms of life only change in terms of places and faces. School was school wherever I went. There was and is a dull familiarity which is on-going for each and every generation. A new earth is different. Expect the unexpected is perhaps all we can really say about it. We will have to “suck it and see”. What we do know is that it is beyond our wildest dreams. Paul says in Corinthians 9 No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him."1 Cor. 2:9 NLT There are a few things we do know. We will be with Jesus forever. There will be no more crying. Death will have “passed away” The Lord Himself will be there. He will provide all the light required for a city that will be big enough to just fit into the moon. No night and no darkness. The tree of life will be there. The trees will bring forth fruit every month. There will be no sin there. The earth and the heavens will be new. A Godly and Holy lifestyle will be the norm. We will see those who have died and gone before us. If all this sounds too good to be true, bear in mind that if you can imagine it, the reality will be so much better. Mom said Cape Town looked like Fairy Land. The new earth will be infinitely better. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			5 And the One sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making everything new!" And then He said to me, "Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true." Revelation 21:5 NLT 3 Jesus replied to Nicodemus, "I can guarantee this truth: No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." John 3:3 GW 17 Anyone who believes in Christ is a new creation. The old is gone! The new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIrV 26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. Ezekiel 36:26 NLT 7 Get rid of the old yeast. Be like a new batch of dough without yeast. That is what you really are, because Christ has been offered up for us. He is our Passover lamb. 1 Corinthians 5:7 NIrV 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God--truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:24 NLT 2 Foreign countries will see your righteousness and world leaders your glory. You'll get a brand-new name straight from the mouth of GOD. Isaiah 62:2 MSG 17 "I will create new heavens and a new earth. The things that have happened before will not be remembered. They will not even enter your minds. Isaiah 65:17 NIrV 11 Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 2 Peter 3:11 NLT	I am a new creation. The Word of God has said, “Behold, I’m making all things new.” And that is in my head. But, Lord, what is the meaning? What must I understand So that I am not missing out on just what You have planned. Perhaps it means that I have got some sort of extra nose? Does it mean that like a cat, I have no need for clothes? Can I somehow disappear exactly as you did? Do I have an extra sense to do the things You’ve bid? For Lord, here’s my confession. I’m sure I look the same. I’m still as bald as ever; my tongue I still must tame. I’m told it is my spirit man that has been made anew. But how does that affect me? And what must I now do, To let this new creation take complete control, Of all the things I’m doing? And what must be my goal? Tell me how to function please and carry on from here? And if You’ve no Objection Lord, please make it very clear. What is the relationship that You require of me? I’m sorry I am so obtuse, but Lord I do not see, Any sort of difference. Not since you’ve made me new.. Help me understand it, if it’s all the same to You! “My child, I’m glad you’re asking. Please do not get things wrong. You are not vaccinated to make you super-strong. To really understand it, please read the verse in full. If you don’t, then all you’ll think is just a lot of bull. Look closely at what’s written. It’s only true “in Me”! A branch can never function, if cut off from the tree. You can’t be independent. You can’t go it alone. That is the sort of lifestyle I never will condone. I’m always in My Father. You have to be in Me. The New Creation can’t survive; not independently! You have to be continually, tapped into the vine. You have to be obedient and live a life like mine! I don’t expect perfection, for you are but a man. I do not want to hear you say, “I’ve done the best I can!” Your best is never good enough. I won’t be satisfied. You have to give it all to me; to put yourself aside; And do not even take a breath, until you hear me say. My Holy Spirit’s leading; walk in the narrow way. Don’t say it’s far too difficult. Don’t turn around and quit. Don’t think it is impossible. That’s true, I must admit. But You’re not doing things alone and you’ll get your reward. To spend eternity with Me, Your ever loving Lord. Jim Strickland Written 11th June 2012