Who We Really Are
G. Thomas Sharp • March 19, 2021
The origin’s debate (better known as the Creation/Evolution debate) has been a heated discussion in our society (and the world for that matter). For some time now it has become a major cause for the secular basis in our belief systems, eventhough first origins cannot be proved scientifically. If, for example, science can prove plants, animals and life arose spontaneously and that continuous transition between simple, one-celled animals, did in fact give rise to multiple-celled animals, the question then becomes: how did this come about?
Did they arise spontaneously? Are they related in any way? Is there some kind of primordial force in the earth that convulsed or engaged matter to produce this phenomenon? Did matter arise or develop spontaneously from nothing, or from something? If the answer is from “nothing,” then we have no clue about the source of our origin. But if the answer is from "something", then what was that something?
If we came from nothing, then all our social and religious structures and forms are of human origin and have no basis in reality; they simply serve the here and now! But if there is reason to believe, and there is, that space, humankind and the earth are the result of a creative act of a holy God through the power of His Word, then we have a serious responsibility to bow before Him, obey Him and worshipfully serve Him.
Thus, it becomes immediately evident that the Creation/Evolution struggle is not just another meaningless debate of academic gobbledygook (that is, meaningless ideas concocted from simple men), but is indeed eternal! This is the bottom line in the Creation/Evolution debate; it is not about philosophy or even science, it is about who we really are!
If I am simply a container of atoms that exists because of natural reactions only, then I am no different than any inanimate object having no ultimate eternal potential. But if I am a creature made in the image of the omnipotent God, if He created me especially for His service and worship, then I have a task much greater and more important than world leader—president, king or emperor!
Our goal must be:
But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For through the law I am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.
(Gal 2:17-20)
In Genesis 12 the Lord calls Abraham (Abram) to be the father of a great nation. This all happened to Abraham at 75 years old. Some might say that is too late in life to start something new, especially a calling of that magnitude. Yet that was not the overwhelming part to me; that would come in verse 7 when the Lord said the land would be his offspring’s. Wait, what?! The Lord had a plan and His Providence would guide Abraham, even when Abraham did not have offspring and did not wait on the Lord. I have to wonder how I would have reacted to such a call and covenant. As we know from Psalms, the Lord guides and sustains all by His Providence for His name sake, which we are focusing on this year. But does Providence act on our timing? When God called Abraham, he had no children. Yet the promise given was that his offspring would be a great nation in a land saved for them. What we know now is that Abraham wouldn’t have his son Isaac until he was 100 years old, a full 25 years after the covenant was made. Most of the time we expect the Lord’s hand working in our life to be immediate, but that is not always the case. In some cases it might take years to experience the Providence coming to fruition. Remember Genesis 21:2 states Isaac’s birth was at the “appointed time.” This understanding should give us peace as we rely on Providence and, at times, are called to patience. Providence was again on display for us to understand that even in obedient sacrifice He will be glorified, as Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son, Isaac, who was inherently tied to the covenant of the Lord. Abraham was faithful in all aspects, even when most of us might say “no way” to that sacrifice to the Lord. Yet at the right time, through faithfulness in Abraham’s obedience, there was Providence providing behind him in the ram. Our faithful obedience sometimes feels like a tough ask from the Lord, but rest assured He is there, ready to lift up His name through us. Providence continued through time, 100 years later, after Isaac had his sons, Jacob and Esau. Then Jacob was blessed by the Lord with 12 sons, one of which was Joseph, who was sold to Egypt by his brothers. You probably recall all the ups and downs of Joseph’s life, yet he was faithful to the Lord throughout them all. Remember, there was a covenant at stake. The Lord, through His Providence, made sure he had Joseph where He needed him to save the great nation of Israel from famine. This Providence secured the covenant line to continue to Christ. Many times throughout history Providence has guided and protected His covenant, and now you and I can be blessed with inclusion in His great nation through Christ. If it had not been so, then we literally have no assurance of our salvation. Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ that His Providence is faithful for all eternity, so we may know peace and have confidence in the promised destiny. Our ministry here at CTF has always emphasized the importance of Genesis 12, Abraham’s covenant. We share there is no difference in importance of Genesis 1-11 over chapter 12 and through the entirety of the Bible. The whole Bible is inspired to be trustworthy and to show His Providence throughout history for His name’s sake and also for our salvation. Blessings.
Fort Necessity, also known as the Battle of the Great Meadows