"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ."

How Does God Rule Heaven and Earth?

Exodus 34:6

Faith Family,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I continue to give thanks to our gracious God for allowing me the privilege of serving as your Senior Pastor. Your faithfulness and your enthusiasm fill my heart with joy and help complete my hope in Christ. Every day I look forward to serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ alongside each of you and growing in our discipleship journey together. I pray as God has continued blessings us, may we continue to be a blessing to others.

We continue with the Catechism teaching that is in our Weekly Newsletter. We are on question #6. This week’s question is “How does God rule heaven and earth?” The Answer according to the Catechism is, “God rules with gracious regard for the well-being and salvation of all, to the glory of His name.” 

There are several passages that help support this belief. The one I want to share with you is from Exodus 34:5-7.  “Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.”

Exodus reminds us that God rules not with an Iron Fist, but a loving heart. God does not rule with disregard, but with compassion and grace. But God also rules with absolute authority and ownership. God is the creator of all things, including heaven and sits upon the throne in heaven. Psalms 103 reminds us that God’s Kingdom is all where He is present.

God also rules heaven and earth as the sole sustainer of all creation. We talked a little about this last week. God not only creates life but sustains life as well. All the while providing for the well-being of His creation, especially humanity which has been created in His image.

The Catechism answer also includes “salvation of all.” God rules with the intention of providing salvation for all humanity. There is not one person that has been born that is exempt from the opportunity to be saved. Christ died for all people. If someone does not receive salvation, it is only because they have chosen not to accept the gift from God.

Lastly, we are told that God does all of this for the glory of His name. Now, this may sound self-centered, but the truth is the more glory God receives, the more people know about God. God received glory through His awesome rule over heaven and earth. The more God provides, the more God blesses, the more God sustains, the more those who follow Christ are likely to glorify His name in community. It isn’t that God is doing it to get credit. God is doing all of this because He desires all people to know Him.

I am blessed to serve a God who created me, who sustains me, and who provides a structure of authority so I can live my life with purpose and wholeness. I am privileged to serve a God who is over all things and has chosen humanity to be the vessels in which people discover God. May we allow God to use us in this way to the Kingdom of God will be made known.

Have a blessed Week!

Pastor Frank