In the Beginning

Gen. 1

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Gen. 1:1

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being by Him, and apart from him nothing came into being that has come into being." John 1:1-3

A college professor opened my eyes to the ramifications of these two, coordinating verses. He pointed out how many times it says in the Gen. 1 account of creation "God said...God made/created." (See vs. 6&7, 14&16, 20&21, 24&25, 26&27.) He contended God the Father spoke the words, and then God the Son/Word did the actual making/creating of the thing which the Father had spoken.

Think about that one for a moment. God the Father spoke words, then the Word of God created life from nothingness, made something vital to spring forth out of a void.

The Word of God, Jesus, has had the power to give life from the beginning. His first function, and I would argue his primary function, is life. Life from nothingness. Life from death. Eternal life.

The Word of life.

No wonder the Psalmist wrote, "Revive me according to Thy word." Ps. 119:154. No other power but the word can give life. This is why we Christians are to hide God's word in our hearts, to meditate on it day and night, to love it more than silver or gold. And while we do not believe the Bible is some mystical talisman containing Jesus's physical presence, we do believe it contains God's truth which has the power (when heeded and put into practice) to bring life.

Jesus said, "...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)

Are you dead somewhere? Is there nothing where your heart should be? A void instead of vitality? The Word of God--Jesus--can bring new life. He is in the business of taking dead, empty, wintery places and bringing forth Spring. Our part is treasuring His word, His part is giving life.

Until next time,
Becca