Before time as we know it; God existed. He was and always will be in a communal relationship with himself. At some point God created all things and they were good. When He created us as humans He imparted His image into us – to be creative and to live in community with Him and with one another. The enemy was also there at the beginning and he persuaded them to turn away from the intimate relationship they had with God. Death became reality.
But God planned that He would restore creation to a harmonious relationship with its maker. First, He chose the descendants of a man named Abraham to take His message to the entire world. He promised to bless them so that they could bless all the nations of the world. But the world went three ways – some ignored God, some built rules in an attempt to appease God and a very small remnant still lived in community with Him.
Finally He sent His son called Jesus. He was like no other man before Him - He was mysteriously God in Flesh. He commissioned those who followed Him to take His message that God loves His creation and longs for an intimate relationship with us to the whole world. He called His people to live in community, that the world would see Him by their love for each other and those around them. His way was not attractive to those who loved power or wealth and oppressed others and so they killed Him. But this time it was different: Jesus had overcome the enemy. Death itself was dead!
There is an end to the story – a day with Jesus will come back and separate people into two groups, those who will live in community with God and those who will be separated from Him. At that time all things will be restored to God’s original plan.
But still the world goes three ways – some ignoring God, some building rules in an attempt to appease God and a remnant longing and hoping for the time when the end will come; for wholeness, peace and justice. Till that time we, of the remnant, are giving our lives to living out that future reality now.
But God planned that He would restore creation to a harmonious relationship with its maker. First, He chose the descendants of a man named Abraham to take His message to the entire world. He promised to bless them so that they could bless all the nations of the world. But the world went three ways – some ignored God, some built rules in an attempt to appease God and a very small remnant still lived in community with Him.
Finally He sent His son called Jesus. He was like no other man before Him - He was mysteriously God in Flesh. He commissioned those who followed Him to take His message that God loves His creation and longs for an intimate relationship with us to the whole world. He called His people to live in community, that the world would see Him by their love for each other and those around them. His way was not attractive to those who loved power or wealth and oppressed others and so they killed Him. But this time it was different: Jesus had overcome the enemy. Death itself was dead!
There is an end to the story – a day with Jesus will come back and separate people into two groups, those who will live in community with God and those who will be separated from Him. At that time all things will be restored to God’s original plan.
But still the world goes three ways – some ignoring God, some building rules in an attempt to appease God and a remnant longing and hoping for the time when the end will come; for wholeness, peace and justice. Till that time we, of the remnant, are giving our lives to living out that future reality now.
[This is a response to Stan Nussbaum's challenge --
http://www.gmi.org/services/research/stans-lab/new/the-world-in-two-minutes/]
http://www.gmi.org/services/research/stans-lab/new/the-world-in-two-minutes/]
