Title: God-given authority/Genesis 1:24-31
Contents "Blessing Pickup" Series VI: God-given authority/Genesis 1:24~31
1. The relationship between the environment and humans
In Genesis 1, God did not create man first. God first created the light, the sky, the earth and the sea, all kinds of vegetables and trees, and the sun and the moon. And after creating all kinds of animals, He created humans last. In this way, God first created the environment for humans to live in, and then created humans to live in the prepared environment. All human beings from Adam and Eve until now have lived in the environment, and no human can live without it. Humans are destined to live in the natural environment, family environment, work environment, urban environment, and social environment until the day they die.
We have already been given the environment of a family in which we will live, with no choice. We have already been given the environment that we are Koreans. Many circumstances surrounding our lives were first given to us without our consent. Not only a good environment is given to us, but also a difficult environment, a difficult environment we do not want at all.
Since we are surrounded by the environment like this, the element of the environment that surrounds us and the establishment of a relationship with us humans are very important. If we are conquered by the environment that surrounds us and live in surrender to it, the given environment becomes an absolute force that has a tremendous influence on us. If the environment and we are in a one-on-one equal relationship, then there is a tension between the environment and us because we are fighting each other in that equal relationship. But when we realize that we are capable of conquering our environment, we can deal with the environment around us with confidence.
2. Giving authority over the environment: verses 26-30
The Bible has this to say about our environment and our relationship to it: First, God has given us the authority to subdue and govern our environment. God the Holy Trinity decided to create human beings honorably in the image of God and in the likeness of God, and to establish them as beings to rule over all circumstances (verse 26). And according to that plan, He created humans to rule and conquer all environments (verses 27-28). The words “Fill the earth, subdue it, and have dominion over all living things” are blessings that God has given to us humans the authority to govern our environment. First of all, it is important to realize that God has given us the power to subdue and govern our environment.
Second, it is important to realize that He has given us the authority to conquer and rule the environment, and to deal with the environment we are in with that faith. The Apostle Paul longed for the Ephesian church members to know how great and precious God's authority is to believe and serve Jesus as Lord (Ephesians 1:19). In other words, knowing that the authority to overcome difficult circumstances was given to us through Jesus Christ, we desperately wanted to be able to view the given circumstances based on that. Also, Acts 1:8 tells us, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” These words are a promise that no matter what circumstances the disciples encounter, they will not be conquered by those circumstances, but they will become witnesses of Jesus and change their lives. And the fulfillment of the word of promise is the record of Acts.
If we do not deal with the environment that surrounds us with the authority God has given us, we cannot help but be crushed by the difficult circumstances and despair. When we realize and be convinced that God has given us the authority to conquer and rule over our circumstances, we can overcome all circumstances. Therefore, no matter what the circumstances surrounding us, we must have faith that we will overcome, conquer, and rule over them through the authority God has given us.
3. Stewardship mission to govern the environment: verses 26-31
It is important to conquer, rule, and triumph over the environment in which you are placed with the authority God has given you. This is because only those who have conquered their environment can fulfill the God-given mission to rule. How can a person who cannot control his own life live for others? When we first conquer our environment with God-given authority, we can fulfill the God-given stewardship of governing and subjugating the environment around us. In the end, we become channels of God's blessing so that others around us can also overcome difficult circumstances.
Genesis 1:31 says, “And God saw all that he had made, and he saw that it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” This verse says that God was very pleased with the human beings who ruled and conquered the things he had created. As in these words, we must be used to expand the kingdom of God by fulfilling the stewardship of managing the environment around us with God's authority.
Questions and Sharing
◎ Sometimes a good environment comes to us, sometimes a difficult and difficult environment comes to us. Let's share with each other the environment we are experiencing right now.
◎ God has given us the authority to overcome and conquer our circumstances. Do I realize that God has given me the authority to govern my environment? Or are you dominated by the environment itself?
◎ God has given us the authority and mission to govern the environment around us. Let's pray together that we can fulfill that mission well so that people in difficult circumstances can look to the mighty God.