“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth. (Genesis 1:27-28 BSB)
“The heavens belong to the LORD, but he has given the earth to all humanity.” (Psalm 115:16 NLT)
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV)
The first time that the Holy Spirit challenged me on my understanding of who was actually in control of this world I was shocked at where He was leading me. He took me back to Genesis chapter one and opened my eyes to what the Creator gave to His newly created children. He gave them the Earth. Along with this, He gave them responsibility for maintaining this planet, ruling over the animals inhabiting it, and subduing His enemy that was dwelling here after being cast out of Heaven. Adam and Eve were to fill the Earth with God’s glory. They were commanded to expand the Heaven – like conditions of the Garden of Eden around the entire globe. They were to be fruitful (highly productive), and populate the planet (reproduce).
In the command that the Father gave them to take dominion (rule and subdue), He gave them the authority and power to get the job done. It was Adam that was to be in control, NOT God. When the Spirit enlightened me to the depth of what actually took place in the Garden, as described in Genesis, and clarified in Psalm 115:16, it cut to the core of everything that I had believed about who I am, and what my position and responsibilities are this side of Heaven.
Here’s the next faith bomb………Are you ready?…….God is not in control……….
…I am! (and if you are in Christ, you are)
Before you run out of the room yelling, “Heretic! Stone him!” PLEASE take some time to pray and seek the Holy Spirit’s leading, allowing Him to guide you into all truth. Ask Him to teach you directly from the Word of God. Read the creation account under His leadership and see what He shows you. Meditate on Psalm 115:16 under the Spirit’s influence and allow Him to burn away anything in your mind that stops you from seeing clearly just who you are, and what your place is in the Earth. Go into the Gospel accounts and read the words of Jesus as He describes what He has positioned us to do in His place now that He has returned to His Father in Heaven.
The position, and authority, that Adam was given by the Father prior to sinning is mind boggling. The position, and authority, that you and I have been given by Jesus through His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, goes beyond even what Adam possessed. There is so much more to be said, but at this point I should let you chew on what I have said thus far.
Until tomorrow, please ponder…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 67: “Time to turn over the apple cart.” Part 2: God is in control. What in the world does that mean? (continued)