Beginnings

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This morning I attended the funeral service for Edna Lynn who died the day after Christmas at 101. This is someone that Debbie and I have known for many years. She was a long time member of Timberline Church and had almost 60 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild. When people of this age pass it causes a lot of reflection on their life and the changes they experienced over the decades. Edna left a legacy of faith and love for family.

This afternoon I had a visit from two high school classmates. Debbie Proctor, who was such a support during my hospitalization and Kamal Abed who attended school with me from junior high through high school. I enjoyed their visit and the opportunity for them to see me doing much better than last time they saw me.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…   “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive….If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” 1 Corinthians 15:22,44-45

As the new year begins I have started my “read through the Bible” schedule once again. Genesis is the “Book of Beginnings” and I have taken note of the beginnings that form the basis for God’s redemptive plan.

The first man Adam was the beginning of the human race. He was given honor and responsibilities as the one who would be God’s steward over all creation. As sin entered the world and evil began to prevail it brought the wrath of a righteous God. So we see God calling Noah, a righteous man and his family to begin again. So we see Noah delivered from death through the ark and he and his family become the beginning of the repopulation the earth.

Through Noah’s offspring comes Abraham. God calls Abraham and promises him that his descendents will be like the “stars of the skies.” So through Abraham and his offspring we see the beginning of a nation. A nation that would provide an avenue for the coming of Christ the Messiah and Savior.

What we see beginning in Adam, finds it culmination in Christ; a people that will walk in righteousness and fellowship with God. But Christ did not come to form a natural family, but a spiritual family. It would be a people like Adam, Noah and Abraham that will walk before God in righteousness. But this righteousness will not be of their own doing but through that which comes from relationship through Christ and faith in Him. As Paul the Apostle would write, “…you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30)

Paul in writing to the Corinthians refers to Christ as a, “life giving spirit.” Through Adam a human race came into existence, through Christ a spiritual “nation” came into existence. As Peter would write, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

Beginnings new or renewed can be exciting and challenging events. As you begin a new year, are you ready to begin a new life, or a new dimension of obedience or service through Christ?