When we
consider the amazing diversity of plants, animals, and microbes, we are bound
by our very nature to ask the question:
Where did they all come from? Our
answer will likely fall under one of two claims. Either they came into being “by time, chance,
and natural causes;” or, “by the plan of an Intelligent Designer.” If your answer is “intelligent design,” then
you are in the company of most of humankind throughout recorded history.
On the other hand, those who attribute the “natural world” to “time, chance,
and natural causes” are facing a higher and higher mountain of challenges to
their logic. When atheistic,
naturalistic thinkers of the 18th and 19th centuries
proposed “natural causes,” little was known of genetics, cell biology, and
biochemistry. Since then, science has
been revealing an amazing intricacy and complexity within living cells. When we view imaging and animations of living
cells such as that shown in the video series, “The Secrets of the Cell—The X Factor
in Life,”
featuring biochemist Dr. Michael Behe, many of us have too little faith to
believe such wonder could have assembled itself by “undirected natural causes.”
The complexity of the world around us is not only amazing, it can speak conviction into our lives. When I was a much younger man, I remember struggling with a particular pattern in my life. I knew in my conscience and from reading my Bible that this pattern was something that I must not allow to continue. I also knew enough about the Gospel message of God’s saving grace to know there was something more at work in my struggle than simply scoring high with God on a “checklist” of do’s and don’t’s. For by grace are you saved, through faith, and [even] that is not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2: 8-9). I was convinced that, left unchecked, such a pattern of behavior and other similar allowances could eventually point my life in a direction away from that of a purpose-driven, God-pleasing life.
During this time of inner struggle, I remember hiking in an open meadow with scattered, large trees. On this particularly hot day, I found it refreshing to sit beneath a large oak tree. There I sat enjoying the cool air. Then, I remembered that this coolness was made possible by the evaporation of water which carries heat away from the thousands of leaves on this oak tree. This escape of heat-laden water vapor through tiny leaf pores (stomata) cools both leaves and the atmosphere around and under the tree.
While enjoying my cool comfort, I also enjoyed watching several squirrels scampering among the large branches of the giant oak. Closer observation revealed that they were gathering acorns, perhaps to store them as a food reserve for winter. Some of the acorns dropped to the ground near meadow wildflowers where honeybees and other insects were busily gathering nectar.
As I watched these animals and a nearby woodchuck poking his head out of his burrow, I realized that, in my state of moral conflict, I was the only living organism in this meadow that was not in tune with the purpose of God. The oak tree had produced a fruitful crop of acorns and was functioning all the while to cool the microclimate around it. The squirrels, insects, and woodchuck were all busily being and doing that for which they were created. But me? I was kicking against God’s moral guidelines—principles which He had lovingly provided to help me realize His purposes. Yet I believed the evidence of God’s love for me, that Christ died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf (2 Corinthians 5: 15).
The choice was mine –to either continue to go my own way, or to yield to God. I paused and remembered Hebrews 4: 12 which
states that the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it
penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the
thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4: 12). Like
using a mirror to shave and comb my hair, I needed to use God’s Word as a
mirror and as a scalpel to reprove, correct, and train me in the path of God’s
righteousness (2 Timothy 3: 16).
The choice is mine and yours to make. Thankfully, God led me to repent and turn from my sin, and to pursue His gracious forgiveness (1 John 1: 9). Some people, instead of recognizing and repenting of their inner struggles and turning to God’s moral guidelines and purposes for them, choose to reject God’s plan and provisions. By denying the reality of God and His design and purpose in creation, they may forge what seems to be a satisfactory worldview. After all, if there is no God, then there is no accountability for our actions. Yet, many remain unsettled every time they encounter the amazing intricacy and wonder of creation.
An acquaintance of mine confided that his friend had confessed to him that he
really didn’t believe in Darwinian evolution.
In fact, he had to admit that evolution was a means of avoiding being morally
accountable to a purposeful God who will one day judge all of mankind (Hebrews
9: 27). But God speaks through His creation and through
His Scriptures like Romans 8: 20-22:
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools…
Please consider again my reflections in the meadow with the oak tree, squirrels, and insects. Then, consider that our lives and the lives of trees, squirrels, and insects are all propelled by the intricate workings within microscopic living cells as shown in visual media like “The Secrets of the Cell—The X Factor in Life.” Yet, above and beyond all of these intricacies, God speaks through His Word to convict us of our rebellion (sin) and to draw us into loving fellowship with Him.
To those such as this writer who have struggled with patterns of life that have competed with God’s moral purposes and plans, I pray with the Apostle Paul, to the God of purpose and design that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1: 18-20).
How About You?
Jesus taught His disciples, saying I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing (John 15: 5). I realized that God was pointing out where I was missing the mark and that He was inviting me to repent, turn away from my rebellious direction, and yield to His path for me. Abiding in Him and He in me! What an amazing provision! When we abide in Him, we can be fruit-bearers by the provision and power of God’s Holy Spirit within us. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law (Galatians 5: 22-23).
Helpful Reading:
Lee Strobel. 2005. The Case for a Creator: A Journalist Investigates Scientific Evidence the Points toward God. Zondervan. Grand Rapids, MI.
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| Mechanical Cogs and Gears of the Planthopper Insect |
The complexity of the world around us is not only amazing, it can speak conviction into our lives. When I was a much younger man, I remember struggling with a particular pattern in my life. I knew in my conscience and from reading my Bible that this pattern was something that I must not allow to continue. I also knew enough about the Gospel message of God’s saving grace to know there was something more at work in my struggle than simply scoring high with God on a “checklist” of do’s and don’t’s. For by grace are you saved, through faith, and [even] that is not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2: 8-9). I was convinced that, left unchecked, such a pattern of behavior and other similar allowances could eventually point my life in a direction away from that of a purpose-driven, God-pleasing life.
During this time of inner struggle, I remember hiking in an open meadow with scattered, large trees. On this particularly hot day, I found it refreshing to sit beneath a large oak tree. There I sat enjoying the cool air. Then, I remembered that this coolness was made possible by the evaporation of water which carries heat away from the thousands of leaves on this oak tree. This escape of heat-laden water vapor through tiny leaf pores (stomata) cools both leaves and the atmosphere around and under the tree.
While enjoying my cool comfort, I also enjoyed watching several squirrels scampering among the large branches of the giant oak. Closer observation revealed that they were gathering acorns, perhaps to store them as a food reserve for winter. Some of the acorns dropped to the ground near meadow wildflowers where honeybees and other insects were busily gathering nectar.
As I watched these animals and a nearby woodchuck poking his head out of his burrow, I realized that, in my state of moral conflict, I was the only living organism in this meadow that was not in tune with the purpose of God. The oak tree had produced a fruitful crop of acorns and was functioning all the while to cool the microclimate around it. The squirrels, insects, and woodchuck were all busily being and doing that for which they were created. But me? I was kicking against God’s moral guidelines—principles which He had lovingly provided to help me realize His purposes. Yet I believed the evidence of God’s love for me, that Christ died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf (2 Corinthians 5: 15).
The choice is mine and yours to make. Thankfully, God led me to repent and turn from my sin, and to pursue His gracious forgiveness (1 John 1: 9). Some people, instead of recognizing and repenting of their inner struggles and turning to God’s moral guidelines and purposes for them, choose to reject God’s plan and provisions. By denying the reality of God and His design and purpose in creation, they may forge what seems to be a satisfactory worldview. After all, if there is no God, then there is no accountability for our actions. Yet, many remain unsettled every time they encounter the amazing intricacy and wonder of creation.
 |
| Molecular Motor of a Bacterial Flagellum |
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools…
Please consider again my reflections in the meadow with the oak tree, squirrels, and insects. Then, consider that our lives and the lives of trees, squirrels, and insects are all propelled by the intricate workings within microscopic living cells as shown in visual media like “The Secrets of the Cell—The X Factor in Life.” Yet, above and beyond all of these intricacies, God speaks through His Word to convict us of our rebellion (sin) and to draw us into loving fellowship with Him.
To those such as this writer who have struggled with patterns of life that have competed with God’s moral purposes and plans, I pray with the Apostle Paul, to the God of purpose and design that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1: 18-20).
How About You?
Jesus taught His disciples, saying I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing (John 15: 5). I realized that God was pointing out where I was missing the mark and that He was inviting me to repent, turn away from my rebellious direction, and yield to His path for me. Abiding in Him and He in me! What an amazing provision! When we abide in Him, we can be fruit-bearers by the provision and power of God’s Holy Spirit within us. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law (Galatians 5: 22-23).
Helpful Reading:
Lee Strobel. 2005. The Case for a Creator: A Journalist Investigates Scientific Evidence the Points toward God. Zondervan. Grand Rapids, MI.
A.W. Tozer. 1950. God’s Pursuit of Man. Moody Press. Chicago.
