In the past before what we know as modern technology, life i.e. eating, sleeping, commerce, and even love was governed by the characteristics of the place where the people lived. The geography and climate determined what they could or could not do thus shaping their thought patterns and lives. Everything they knew was based on what they had access to. Life was defined by what they had seen and experienced within their regions. However, as technology advanced and people moved beyond their immediate environments, exposure to other cultures and ways of thinking (also shaped by the differing landscapes and climates) made room for an expansion in the thought process. No longer was an individual's life limited to his immediate environment, his thinking and scope could expand. But God's plan was always higher than even that progression in the human intellect.
God's dream for Humans had started from where he positioned him: in the Garden of Eden. His first job was to care for the animals and the plants (Genesis 1:28, 2:15). This probationary assignment was to be fulfilled in communion with the Creator as the originator of life. He failed.
According to Genesis, his failure was not in his care for nature but in his departure from communion (oneness) with the Creator by willful disobedience. This disobedience brought limiting bondage to him, his mind, and the earth.
'To Adam he said, “Because you listened to what your wife said and ate from the tree about which I gave you the order, ‘You are not to eat from it,’ the ground is cursed on your account; you will work hard to eat from it as long as you live.'' Genesis 3:17
The Man's (Adam's) ability to maintain life had been linked from the start to his 'right' connection with the origin of all life - the Creator (YHWH). In other words, when the link of Life broke, death and decay got into everything contaminating all he did, touched, and was responsible for. Hence his ability to fulfill his probationary assignment on earth became difficult - the earth was defiled and he was contained. The man who had been created to function not from the limitations of his environment but from the vastness of his life connection with God was now being constrained by geology, geography and nature.
The factors behind the decay we see in our world have a dimension beyond the material. YHWH warned the ancient Israelites in Leviticus 18:24-26:
“‘Do not make yourselves unclean by any of these things, because all the nations which I am expelling ahead of you are defiled with them. The land has become unclean, and this is why I am punishing it — the land itself will vomit out its inhabitants. ''.
According to the scriptures, the decay we see in the natural world is a direct reflection of the spiritual decay in its caretakers, i.e. the Humans, which in turn is the result of a separation from God. The physical world has its origins in a Spiritual God. To truly sustain life in this physical world in all its intended glory, the caretakers of the earth must be spiritually restored to the Creator - YHWH. This is where life comes from.
Here is the Good News: Jesus came to give us this 'life-giving life' connection. This means that those who receive his gift, become 'wellsprings of life' and no longer death. In addition, we become free from the limitations not just of our environment, but also of our minds - he enables us to understand life from YHWH's point of view.
Jesus exemplified this. While on earth and fully terrestrial, he lived the celestial life. He was fully human in that he became hungry and ate, tired and slept, compassionate and cried, overwhelmed with sorrow and prayed, yet he multiplied food to feed hundreds, healed the sick, and opened the minds of men to understand the things beyond this world. [Matthew 4:2, Luke 8:23, John 11:35, Mark 14:34, Luke 24:45]
As a 'wellspring of Life', we must determine that nothing around us should decay, this includes our natural environment even though ultimately, this earth will be cleaned and restarted. Why? The good news (Gospel) is that not only did he come to save the sons of the first Adam (Mankind i.e. all of us) from the judgment for our rebellion, but he also restored a vital life connection with YHWH which ultimately enables the restoration of life and freedom to all things.
[If all this seems a bit too far-fetched for you, then simply see how the heart state of any ordinary person you know reflects in their care of animals. As the Psalmist said, '' A righteous man takes care of his animal, but the wicked? Even his compassion is cruel.'' Proverbs 12:10].
A freed heart gives freedom. It is of this hope that Paul speaks in Romans 8:19- 21;
''The creation waits eagerly for the sons of God to be revealed; for the creation was made subject to frustration — not willingly, but because of the one who subjected it. But it was given a reliable hope that it too would be set free from its bondage to decay and would enjoy the freedom accompanying the glory that God’s children will have.''
Our life emanates from YHWH and Jesus. As we endeavor to keep that life link secure, he helps us in fulfilling our purpose.
''...So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”'' John 8:28-29
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.'' John 15:5
As in the initial creation of Genesis 1, we can now give Life to all creation by the words we speak and in the actions we take in union with the Spirit of the Creator YHWH.
[other references: Romans 5:9-11, John 17:14]
''For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.'' John 5:26
''For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:40
''But I can give people a different kind of water. Everyone who drinks that kind of water will never get thirsty again. The water that I give them will become like a well inside them. That well will continue to provide water that gives them life for ever with God.’'' - Jesus in John 4:14 [EASY version]
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