THE VOID

I was doing my Bible Study at lunch today and read a wonderful piece of Scripture, that I have read many times before... and yet today, the study gave me such a new insight, I thought I would share.

Genesis 1:1-2

The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.

The study pointed out that there were three things the earth was said to be in the beginning:

Formless, Void and In Darkness

The study compared this passage to how we are new creations in Christ. Just as God brought forth dry land, vegetation and fruit bearing plants from this "Formless, Void of Darkness". Christ enters our lives and through Salvation creates in us a new creation, one that dispenses the darkness and illuminates our life and path, one that fills the void of our hearts with Christ's love and complete fullness of Who HE is. A new creation that is no longer Formless and lost in darkness, but is a life of purpose. A life to serve and live for our GREAT and PERFECT God.

After salvation, we have the opportunity to feed on the Word of God... to be rebuilt and changed through God's Word. When we are turning to HIM for our nourishment, we are attached to HIM and just as the following verse states, we can be the branches and if we abide in Christ we can bear much fruit, but apart from Christ, we can do nothing.

John 15:5

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."

Thinking further, there is no way I can bear fruit, when I am not abiding in HIM. Well, not at least true and lasting fruit. I can "act kind and show love", but unless it is done with the Spirit of Christ, it is for nothing and will not last.

Just so much to think about and ponder. How thankful I am that I understand the gift of salvation. It is only by HIS grace that I am saved. Nothing special in me, no acts of righteousness or "good" behavior gave me my entrance into heaven (someday). It is God's gift through HIS son.

Now... just trying to combine bearing fruit and doing it for HIM (to glorify HIM) and not for a reward for me... something to work on, that's for sure.