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)
Here we are again, just a few days before Christmas. It seems the old adage, “The older you get the faster time flies,” is so true. There is not a year that passes when we look back and think, “Wow, this year took forever!” History is passing by and we look forward to the new year as we continue to focus on our eternal destiny. Our theme this year has been, HISTORY & DESTINY. Christmas is a great time to reflect on these two realities. Everyone has “Christmas history”, as I term it - those moments from past Christmases that are remembered year after year. Maybe it’s a great family gathering or Christmas activity that has become a beloved tradition. All of those moments are formed by previous years’ experiences. Sometimes this season can be tough, as we may have that memory of a loved one that has passed or other difficulties that we may be facing. Christmas history is always impactful, be it good or bad. This makes me reflect on the first Christmas. For Mary and Joseph, there was no previous history like that moment, per se. Yet, the history of the prior four thousand years had been preparing for the manger, the moment in history that our Savior would be born and begin Christmas history for all of us. Whether it is acknowledged or not, without Jesus’ birth in history, none of this season happens. Each and every Christmas our desire is to make those “Christmas history” memories for our family. Our desire is to impact the future of our family, our destiny. Often our efforts fall short or are interrupted by things out of our control. In those moments, so much stress can come from our efforts not going as planned. Sometimes it ends up ruining the whole season, especially if our focus has not been on the simple fact that He was born to bring peace, not stress. Let us not forget that it didn’t start the way Mary and Joseph had planned, with no room in the inn. But the Lord provided a place for them to rest and deliver the baby. Immanuel, God with us, is the bell ringing for all eternity that started that first Christmas. Our eternal destiny hinges on whether we acknowledge who He is everyday, not just in this season. Yet, this season is most assuredly a great time to emphasize His gift of life for all eternity. Our Creator became as one of His image bearers in that stable under imperfect conditions. He joined HISTORY and DESTINY that moment in time. The years of history that prepared the world for the child born that first Christmas would give us hope for all eternity. Jesus is the marker for all history. Because of that moment in time, our life can have peace for eternity through Him. May we all focus on the culmination of HISTORY & DESTINY during our family Christmas celebrations this year. Our history is written but our destiny is hope in Jesus Christ, our Creator and Savior. Blessings this season to you and your family from all of us here at Creation Truth Foundation!