THE WORLD IS SUBJECT TO GOD

In the last point the idea that the world has inherent responsibility towards God due to the fact of creation was introduced. In this point that theme will be developed even further as we will see that God has a plan and purpose in all things, including the creation of man, which necessitates man's being subject to God in this regard. Furthermore God has ordained His commandments and laws to ensure that these plans and purposes can be carried out without problem and to provide for the welfare of all.

GOD'S PLANS AND PURPOSES

The Bible teaches that God has created all things with a purpose which fits into His overall plan all being formulated for His good pleasure. This thought is communicated by the prophet Isaiah and can be seen in the biblical account of creation. There are some very important practical considerations for every person as a result of this truth.

(Isaiah 46:9-11) "Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, {10} Declaring the end from the beginning And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure'; {11}
...Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it.

(Genesis 1:27-28) And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. {28} And God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

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

(Genesis 2:15-17) Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. {16} And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; {17} but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die."

From Isaiah we learn that God has planned things with purpose according to His good pleasure. The account of creation states man's purpose, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth". Furthermore, man is placed in the garden and is commanded by God not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Some important principals come to light here. First, man exists for God having been created to be the object of His love and goodness and to accomplish His good pleasure. Second, man was given specific purpose by God and is responsible to fulfill that purpose. Third, God has given man His laws and commandments to govern his life as he accomplishes the plans and purposes which God has ordained for him.

We learn that after God finished His creation He declared it was all "very good". In other places in scripture we are told that the plans and purposes of God for man are for his good that man might be blessed. While some might initially view the plans, purposes and commands of God as restrictive, upon further reflection the wise person will see that God alone can provide an abundant life of happiness and fulfillment. However this can only be realized as each one yields in complete subjection to God's plans and purpose, trusting Him, obeying Him and Honoring Him in all things. On the other hand we are warned in scripture of the danger of taking the gift of life and misusing it by pursuing our own plans and purposes refusing to acknowledge God's rightful place in our life.

(Isaiah 25:1) O LORD, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will give thanks to Thy name; For Thou hast worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.

(Jeremiah 29:11) 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

(Isaiah 29:15) Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the LORD, And whose deeds are done in a dark place, And they say, "Who sees us?" or "Who knows us?"

(Isaiah 30:1) "Woe to the rebellious children," declares the LORD, "Who execute a plan, but not Mine, And make an alliance, but not of My Spirit, In order to add sin to sin;

THE LAWS AND COMMANDMENTS OF GOD

Many have a mental picture of God as one who takes pleasure in denying happiness to man through the imposition of His laws and commandments. The truth is that just as Jesus said God wants His people to enjoy an abundant life. God has created man in part to bless man and give to him a wonderful existence. When one looks around him and observes all the beauty of creation the fact that God has provided it and sustains it for man should reveal the goodness of God in this regard. However the ability to enjoy this creation and every other thing that God wants to bless man with rests upon man's obedience to God's laws and commandments which are given to preserve the gift of life.

(Psalms 19:7-11) The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. {8} The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. {9} The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. {10} They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. {11} Moreover, by them Thy servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.

(Deuteronomy 10:12-14) "...what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, {13} and to keep the LORD'S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? {14} "Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it.

(James 1:25) But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does.

(Romans 13:8-10) Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. {9} For this, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." {10} Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.