創世記1：創世與救恩 Creation and Salvation

第一個星期

以前每次學創世記，肯定都要碰到一道躲不過去的作業題，神在第一個星期都幹了些什麽？題目不難，答錯的可能性極小。這道題目做了多遍後，神開了我的心靈之眼，讓我看到我的得救再造過程實在很像神造天地萬物。

聖經以“起初神創造天地”這句氣勢無比的宣告開篇，我降生在世也是神主權的彰顯，我從來都不是一個偶然的存在，我的生命是祂的作品，你也如此。

接下來, 聖經用“空虛混沌, 淵麵黑暗”來形容史前的大地，我覺得用來描述我得救前的心靈正好啊，可不是嗎，我信主前心靈就是空虛，混沌，黑暗。

再下麵一句是“神的靈運行在水麵上”。神的靈在淵麵之上做創世的準備，正如聖善之靈在我的心靈做福音預工，祂借著發生在我生活之中的大事小事來觸碰我的靈魂，輕輕地把它喚醒。

神這時說, "要有光”。就有了光。神看光是好的，就把光暗分開了。我們的主耶穌就是這照進我心靈的光，因著這恩典的大光，我心靈的黑暗被驅散一空。你接受這恩典之光了嗎，你願意靈魂蘇醒嗎？隻有蘇醒的靈魂才能讓神再造一個不朽的生命給你，你想要生命不朽嗎？養生，美容，健身，醫保，甚至基因改造等等, 隻不過讓垂死的生命多掙紮幾年。可是接受主耶穌後，你可以有永遠的生命。

再接下來，神用祂口中所出的話造空氣,  聚海水，堆大地；讓地上生果蔬，長大樹，命天空列星辰，擺日月；呼喚出水中魚，空中鳥，地上獸。聖經用詞簡潔淺顯，直接了當，讓我們觀看擁有無窮智慧和權能的神井然有序地逐一完成創造天地的壯舉。天地一天新似一天，萬物欣欣向榮，飛禽走獸都可愛友善，羊羔在獅子懷裏憩息，一切都和諧美好。每當我默想這創世的波瀾壯闊時，我同時也讚歎神通過在我身上運行的聖靈讓我一日新似一日，神每天都讓我的新生命長大一些，每天都賜我屬天的智慧和品格，我每天看自己都有新的驚喜!  就像諸天訴說神的榮耀，蒼穹傳揚祂的手段一樣，我每天更新的生命也不停地讚美敬拜祂。祂配得所有的讚美敬拜。

再接下來，神說：“我們要照著我們的形像，按著我們的樣式造人”。神在前五天半的一切作為，都是人類受造的隆重前奏，人類是祂的創作精品，巔峰之作。祂按照自己的形象樣式創造人類，可見祂多麽想把人類帶到這個世界，和我們溝通，互動，讓我們了解祂對生命的無限愛惜，對我們的溫柔深情，也期待我們對祂的愛按祂的心意回應。每當我思想神在我身上的再造大工時，神都會給我確據，讓我盼望祂在我身上收工時，我可以完美地代表祂的形象，正如我的主耶穌一樣。你也是這樣盼望著吧？

到了這個時候，神看一切甚好，祂賜下福分，歇了創造的工，進入安息。我不由自主地想到天堂和永生，神在祂的創造和救贖大工完成之後，祂盡情地享受萬物萬民的敬拜，神樂於和祂的子民同在，祂的子民也樂於感受神的美善，並享受神同在的幸福。神賜福給你，就是要你享受神和你同在的喜樂。祂樂意賜福，你打開心接受吧！

 

Before, whenever I studied the first week of creation in Genesis, I would inevitably run into the same question. What exactly did God do in the first week? The question itself is quite simple; to answer incorrectly is unlikely. After answering the same question many times over, God opened the eyes of my heart, allowing me to see that the process of my salvation and transformation is just like the process by which He created the heavens and the earth. 

The Bible starts with, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” What a magnificent declaration. My own birth was also determined through God’s sovereignty. Even from the very beginning, my birth was never a random occurrence. My life is His workmanship, and so is yours.

The Bible goes on to describe the earth before creation as “formless and empty,” with “darkness over the surface of the deep.” I think this exactly what my heart looked like before I believed in God. My heart was formless, empty and dark.

In the next phrase, “the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” The Spirit of God was preparing the waters to be ready for His creation. In the same way, the Holy Spirit was preparing my heart to receive His salvation. Every situation in my life—whether big or small—was God’s means to gently stir my soul, awakening it from its spiritual death. 

“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light, and He separated the light from the darkness.” Our Lord Jesus is the light who shined into my heart. Because of this great light, by God’s grace, the darkness in my heart was driven out. Have you received this light of grace? Do you want your soul to be awakened? Only an awakened soul can allow God to recreate an eternal life for you. Do you want an eternal life which will never rot away? A healthy lifestyle, make up and plastic surgery, fitness and exercise, regular checkups through a good healthcare system—even genetic modification—these things can only help you struggle to hold on to your dying life for a few more years. But by accepting Jesus Christ, you can have everlasting life.

Then, God speaks. Through his word, he creates the open sky, gathers the waters into the sea and piles up the continents. He brings forth all sorts of vegetation from the earth and arranges the sun, moon and stars in their places. He calls out fish from the water, birds from the air, and beasts from the ground. The Bible’s words are simple, clear and direct, and through them, we watch and marvel as the omnipotent, omniscient God brings forth the heavens and earth in orderly fashion. Each day there is something new, and life grows. The animals and beasts are kind to each other, the lamb resting in the lion’s arms. Everything is harmonious and beautiful. When I meditate on the striking process of God’s creation, I marvel at how the Holy Spirit enables my own life to be renewed every day. Each day, God allows my life to grow a little more. Every day, He grants me heavenly wisdom and character. Every day, I am amazed at myself because I am a new person. Just as “the heavens proclaim the glory of God” and “the skies display his craftsmanship,” my ever-renewed life continues to worship and praise Him daily. He is worthy of all worship and praise.

“God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.” God uses the first five and a half days as a prelude to the creation of man. Man is the pinnacle of His creation. He creates man in His own image, His own likeness. You can see how much He wants to bring people into His world. He wants us to communicate and interact with Him, to allow us to understand His limitless love and tender care for all creation. When I meditate on the sanctification God is working in me, I see that He gives me proof of His daily work in me. He leads me to expect that when He finishes this work on me, I will perfectly represent His image and likeness, just as our Lord Jesus Christ does. You must expect the same thing.

When that day comes, God will see all that He has done with me, and it will be very good and pleasing to Him. At the end of the first week, God blessed the seventh day and entered into rest. I cannot help but think about heaven and everlasting life. At the completion of His creation and redemption, He fully enjoys the worship of all creatures and people. He is so pleased to be present with His people, and His people fully enjoy His kindness and grace. God blesses you in order that you may enjoy the pleasure of being in His presence. God is willing to bless you. Why don’t you open your heart to receive?