What I want my grandkids to know - Part #2 of 5

Yesterday we established that within the creation story, in Genesis, are concealed four principles. Each of them begins with the letter “R”.

We mentioned how that the purpose that was lost in the creation story, was restored to us in the redemption story. Or as the bible puts it, what was lost in the first Adam was restored in the Last Adam, Jesus

Understanding each of the 4 principles, will help us restore God's original purpose. They will enhance and enrich our lives. It's also reassuring to know simply why we exist, and the reason why were created in the first place.

Okay, without further ado let us unpack the first letter ‘R’ of purpose, by reading key scripture texts together.

Genesis 3 verse 8 in the New King James version says

8 And they heard the [a]sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the [b]cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

The Footnotes inform us that:
[a] Genesis 3:8 sound of the Lord God is voice of the Lord God
[b]Genesis 3:8 cool of the day is wind or breeze of the day

Notice the intimacy Adam enjoyed with God. He enjoys the voice and presence of God. He literally communed and fellowshipped with God.

Now let's look at a New Testament passage which restores this fellowship with God in 1 John chapter 1 verses 3-4

3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

1 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 9

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

2 Corinthians chapter 13 verse 14

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen

The words fellowship and communion is the same word in Greek.

Listen to these verses and note the word Relationship

Exodus chapter 34 verse 14

You must worship no other gods, for the LORD, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you.

Psalm chapter 24 verse 5

They will receive the LORD's blessing and have a right relationship with God their saviour.

Luke chapter 12 verse 21

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.

Romans chapter 5 verse 11

So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God

Colossians chapter 1 verse 28 

So, we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.

2nd John chapter 1 verse 9 

 Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.

1st Kings chapter 10 verse 1 

When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the LORD, she came to test Solomon with hard questions

The first thing that Adam lost through sin was Relationship.

Relationship is "the way in which two or more people or things are connected, or the state of being connected"

Like Adam who once heard the voice of God, Jesus wants to restore us to a place, where, by His Spirit, we hear His voice (John 10:27).

If we look at the analogy Jesus uses of the Vine and the Branches, this is a wonderful picture of our connectedness with God.

John 15

 1-3 “I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken.
4 “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.
5-8 “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant

Again, Jesus is emphasizing the importance of our ongoing daily intimate relationship with him.

When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic

The Great commandment found in Matthew chapter 22, in the Message Bible is entitled The Most Important Command… starting at verse 34 we read:

^34-36 When the Pharisees heard how he had bested the Sadducees, they gathered their forces for an assault. One of their religion scholars spoke for them, posing a question they hoped would show him up: “Teacher, which command in God’s Law is the most important?” ^37-40 Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.”

Prayer:

Lord thank you that your word is a lamp onto my feet and a light onto my path. Lord thank you that my life can enjoy purpose. Thank you for your word informs us we can have an intimate relationship with you by your Spirit. May I hear your voice today and maintain a deep relationship, with your presence as my guide. Help me stay connected and set my affections on the things above. Draw nearer to me Lord, that I will live a life full of your purpose.

Relationship – the first of four principles of purpose.

That is enough for today folks.

Check in tomorrow to discover the second letter of purpose beginning with the letter “R”

God bless you.