From the Beginning, Truth is Eternal

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

Outside of the New Testament, perhaps one of the most quoted passages in the Bible is its very first. It’s easy to see why that would be the case: it’s a concrete statement with little wiggle room for interpretation. It’s also one of the most challenged and offensive verses in the book. Why?

Because it’s Truth. Some people have no room in their lives for Truth. They’d rather go on believing in happenstance, personal glory, and generally self-serving practices. To their chagrin, Scripture shows them forthrightly to whom all the glory belongs. For some men (and women), it’s more fulfilling to be an error in a cosmic accident. At least they can make their own way, right?

But it’s an empty, formless kind of validation. Suppose He doesn’t exist. You’re free from the burdens of morality and obligations. It’s now permissible to do what thou wilt to get ahead and make yourself “happy” as seems to be the goal of many lives. You become CEO. You make a billion dollars selling out your fellow man. You live with multiple wives and concubines in hedonistic pleasure.

And none of it matters. Why? Under the belief that Genesis 1:1 is incorrect, that the Bible’s most basic foundation is wrong, there is nothing that matters. When you’re dead, that’s it. Whether you shot up a convenience store or donated millions to charity, death and nothingness is the same end result for all if atheism and materialism are true.

Now, let me clarify that I’m not advocating a works-based system here. I believe that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone. What I am saying is that without Him, without reason, logic, and creation, nothing one could do in a lifetime would ever matter. That’s what happens when you subtract Genesis 1:1—and thus, the Truth—from the world we inhabit.

Imagine such a dismal existence. That pedophile you saw on the news? There’s nothing evil about what he did; it’s his accidental chemical makeup that determined that, maybe with some environmental factors like a bad father or mother. You’re nothing but a bag of meat, says the atheist and materialist. There is no “you” to speak of. What a horrible, miserable way to live and think—all for the purpose of ignoring Him who made you.

I thank God that I’m not like that. I thank God that I’m not beholden to the darkness of nihilism and a void of nonexistence. I thank God that he gave me new eyes with which to see the fallen world in which we live.

One of the greatest things about coming to Him is in knowing that, even from the creation in Genesis 1:1, He had plans in motion.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created.” (John 1:1-3)

Before even Adam was made, Jesus the Son (the Word) was with the Father. He and His Father and the Holy Spirit were here from the get-go. He will persist forever whether we want to know Him or not. His reign is endless and as we speak, the Good Shepherd brings the multitudes into His flock.

One day, perhaps not too far from now (although I make no prophecy), the world will be as it was when it began—minus the sinful nature of man.

“God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)

“…and there will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His slaves will serve Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. Night will no longer exist, and people will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 22:3-5)

I know on days like today, people are prone to sorrow or remembrance of great tragedy, but believe in the hope in Him above all. Thanks for reading, God bless, and peace be upon you.