Years ago my mother fell and broke her hip. She tells the story of her lying in bed in the early weeks of recovery and having to get up ... urgently. She realized ... she couldn't. She didn't want to wake Dad, so, as she was wont to do, she cried out to God. "Please, Father, help me to get up and get there." She told me she heard a voice (in her head) that clearly said, "Who did you think was getting you there in the past?" We're a funny people, we Christians. We think that we're pretty capable when the fundamental basis of our salvation is that we're not. Lots of Christians think they have a major role in most everything in their lives and, in fact, they are kind of miffed if they think God is interfering. "Of course I get myself dressed and take care of my family and get myself to work and all that. I don't need GOD for that."
In his epistle to the church at Colossae, Paul says, "He (Christ) is before all things, and in Him all things hold together" (Col 1:17) The Greek word translated "hold together" or "consist" means to be constituted, to be held in existence. It's what the philosophers call "ontological language." Ontology is the branch of metaphysics that deals with the nature of being. "All things" that exist are "held together" in Him. And the tense is present. The language says that the ongoing existence of ... everything is in Christ. The author of Hebrews says He "upholds all things by the word of His power" (Heb 1:3). Ongoing ... present tense. The imagery is that of God holding everything in His hand and actively holding it together. If He lets go ... it ceases to be.
He is the origin of all things and the sustainer of all things. He is the "organizing principle" of all creation. When He "introduced Himself" at the burning bush to Moses, He called Himself, "I AM WHO I AM," literally "existence." He is the one and only self-existent one. He is the "first cause." The rest of us are effects, results of His creation. The rest of us all hold together in Him. And lest you think at some point that you're doing fine without Him at this moment, think again. If He didn't hold you in His hand, you wouldn't just fail ... you'd cease to exist. Without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). Conversely, He "is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us" (Eph 3:20). Just keep that in mind. It's Him, not us ... and He is utterly capable.
No comments:
Post a Comment