The Bible opens with a simple, straightforward statement: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). To some believers this is interesting but meaningless. To some its significance is to be found in discussing "how He did it" or "when He did it." The significance is found in the fact that He did it.
Some read Genesis 1 occasionally to be reminded of God's incredible power. They feel it deserves brief emphasis. Then they feel the need to move on to "the important stuff." The God who creates is "the important stuff." The God who creates is a central Bible theme. The significance of the fact that God creates is beyond exaggeration.
In a beautiful, powerful presentation of Jesus, Isaiah introduced Israel to God's Servant (Isaiah 42). In Him God's soul delights. He will not break a bruised reed or extinguish the ember in a wick. He will establish justice on earth.
Then the God who creates challenged Israel to recognize His concerns. He challenged them to see the incredible promises the Servant would fulfill. He challenged them to react in understanding's appreciation. Note that God would achieve His purposes through His Servant because the God Who creates would make it happen.
Centuries later Paul addressed the elite minds of Athens. They were among the world's best educated philosophers. Paul discussed God with them. His beginning point? God is the God who creates. If they could not understand the significance of God being Creator, they could not understand Jesus' resurrection.
What does God do for those who trust His Servant, the Christ? The Creator God recreates. God takes us creatures created in His image but ruined by evil and recreates us. He takes us who were hopelessly ruined and makes us new.
Read Ephesians 4:20-24. Christians must grasp what the Creator God does for us in Christ. If we do not, we will continue the existence we lived before we knew Christ. We must realize the work of the Creator God in us is renewal. Two things must happen. We must be renewed in the spirit of our minds. We must be renewed by becoming the new self the Creator God recreated us to be.
Is being created again in Christ important? The Creator God's certain objective: banish Satan, destroy all evil, and renew His whole creation in a new heaven and a new earth. Only the renewed can live with God. Only being created again in Christ will prepare us to exist with God.
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