As we continue our journey through the Gospel of John, we arrive at a foundational truth that shapes our entire worldview: Jesus Christ as the Creator. In John 1:1-5, we read:
"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 through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it."
These verses are packed with profound theological truths that demand our attention and shape our understanding of reality. Today, I want to focus on verse 3: "All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being."
The Importance of a Biblical Worldview
Before we dive into the text, let me emphasize the critical need for a reinforced biblical worldview in our current cultural climate. As your pastor, I believe it's my responsibility not just to preach and teach, but also to train you to defend these truths evangelistically.
We live in a time where we can no longer assume we're all on the same theological page, even within the church. Moreover, many Christians struggle to defend their beliefs when challenged. This is why we need to be like the sons of Issachar, described in 1 Chronicles 12:32 as "men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do."
The Creator and His Creation
John begins his gospel by grounding it in the reality that Jesus Christ is our creator. This truth is fundamental to our faith and worldview. If we remove this reality, our entire belief system crumbles like a house of cards.
Let's consider four consequences of a world without a creator:
- Loss of Human Dignity
- Loss of Human Destiny
- Loss of Rationality
- Loss of Objectivity
1. Loss of Human Dignity
Psalm 139 beautifully describes how God knit us together in our mother's womb. This truth imbues every human life with inherent dignity and worth. Without a creator, we're reduced to mere clumps of cells, cosmic accidents with no intrinsic value.
2. Loss of Human Destiny
Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us that God has put eternity in our hearts. We're hardwired for purpose and meaning. Without a creator, we lose our sense of origin, purpose, and destiny. As Augustine famously said, "You have made us for yourself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you."
3. Loss of Rationality
Romans 1:18-23 describes how people suppress the truth about God that is evident in creation. The more we understand about the intricacies of our universe, the more irrational it becomes to attribute it all to chance.
Consider the concept of the "Goldilocks Zone" - the precise conditions necessary for life on Earth. Scientists have identified over 400 factors that must be constantly maintained for human life to exist. The probability of all these factors aligning by chance is astronomically low.
Yet, in the face of such evidence, some still choose to believe in pure chance. Nobel Prize winner Jacques Monod stated, "Man is alone in the universe... This unfeeling immensity, out of which he has emerged by chance, pure chance, absolutely free but blind, is at the very root of the stupendous edifice of evolution."
4. Loss of Objectivity
Without a creator, we lose any basis for objective truth, morality, sexuality, and authority. Everything becomes subjective and up for grabs. This loss of objectivity has far-reaching consequences for how we understand ethics, identity, and the value of human life.
The Biblical View: Jesus as Creator
In contrast to these grim consequences, the Bible presents Jesus Christ as the creator of all things. Psalm 33:6,9 tells us, "By the word of the Lord the heavens were made... For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm."
Jesus spoke everything into existence. This truth is foundational to our faith and our understanding of reality. It's not just a detail we can set aside; it's central to the gospel message.
The Dangers of Compromise
Some have attempted to reconcile evolutionary theory with the biblical account through ideas like theistic evolution. While this may seem appealing as a way to blend faith and science, it ultimately undermines the gospel message.
Consider these problems with theistic evolution:
- Evolution requires death, but the Bible teaches that death entered the world through sin.
- If there was no historical fall, why do we need redemption?
- It contradicts John 1:3, which states that nothing was made apart from Christ.
We must be careful not to compromise biblical truth in an attempt to fit in with current scientific consensus. The Bible is not out of step with true science; often, it's science that's out of step with Scripture.
The Light and Life in Christ
John 1:4-5 introduces two great themes of John's gospel: light and life. We live in a world of darkness, but Jesus declares, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).
Moreover, Jesus possesses life in Himself and offers it to us. We are spiritually dead and cannot raise ourselves; we need the life that only God can give.
The Promise of New Creation
Why is it important to know that Jesus is the creator? Because only a God who made the world can promise to make all things new (Revelation 21:5). Only a God who created you can recreate you.
2 Corinthians 4:6 beautifully connects creation and salvation: "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
The same God who spoke light into existence at creation is at work today, shining His light into dark hearts opposed to Him. This is the miracle of the new birth - we become new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Conclusion: Celebrating Our Creator
As we reflect on these truths, we have every reason to rejoice. If you're a Christian, you have the greatest impetus for joy because Jesus Christ has turned on the lights in your dark heart. He's done this so that we might see "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
Let's celebrate our Creator, who humbled Himself to become one of us, lived among us, died for us, and rose again to offer us new life. May we be filled with wonder at His grace and mercy, and may we be motivated to share this good news with a world desperately in need of its Creator and Redeemer.
As we go about our daily lives, may we see the people around us through this lens - as valuable creations of God, whether they recognize it or not. Let's pray for opportunities to share the truth about our Creator and the new life He offers. And let's live in a way that reflects the dignity and purpose we have as those created in His image and redeemed by His grace.
