Christ, the Cross and the Image of God

“Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, for all things in heaven and on earth were created in him — all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers — all things were created through him and for him.

“He himself is before all things and all things are held together in him. He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things.” (Colossians 1:15-18)

Each Human Being Matters

 

The Good News Hidden In Romans 3:23

In the first eleven chapters of Romans, the apostle Paul makes a long argument concerning the inclusiveness of the gospel. Along the way, he shows the inclusiveness of the gospel.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:23-24)

Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. (Romans 5:18)

The experience of mortality and sin is universal, but so to the rectification and life Christ has secured for us through his faithfulness. And at the end of Paul's extensive argument, this is the conclusion he comes to:

God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. (Romans 11:32)

At this amazing declaration of universal mercy, Paul leaps into doxological wonder.

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:33-36)

All Creation Groans Together With Us

“For the creation eagerly waits for the revelation of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility – not willingly but because of God who subjected it – in hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together until now.” (Romans 8:19-22)

Nature and Grace — Contemplating Our Meaning

The end is in the beginning,
and the beginning is in the end.

Free Will and the Divine Image

The love of God 

burns away all our delusions 

so that our wills may be truly free 

and we may become 

the divine image God 

created us to be.