Taking Dominion

Genesis 4:7

“… However, you must take dominion over it.”

          “He…”, that is, the offspring of Eve as a whole [Net Bible Commentaries], “… will strike you on the head, and you will strike him on the heel” [Gen 3:15]. That was how God cursed the serpent – in such a way that there will be mutual, on-going struggles and strikes between mankind and their enemies led by Satan. If the serpent is symbolic of the devil and his evil spirits, then the Messiah, who has committed no sin, is the unique representative of  – and the only refuge for – Eve’s offprings (i.e. all mankind), because he (and only he) has said and fulfilled what he has said, “I have overcome the world…” [John 16:33]; he died; he rose from the dead; he has overcome even the grave; he lives forever!

          In every difficulty, I must first be tutored by the Spirit of the Messiah through his words [Rom 10:17] so that my faith is always strengthened and kept appropriate. Next, whatever clear instructions he has given me I immediately put into practice, now as always, and out of a sudden I see a possible break-through, which shall surely come to pass if I continually counter any fear and believe in my heart the Word of God. Then, I will preach through what I practise – as a witness and a form of exhortation to the people around me – especially to those who are presently trapped in similar circumstances as I was, remembering that to them the Messiah must become more important, but I must become less important [John 3:30].

“God does not give us an overcoming life; he gives us life as we overcome.”

– Oswald Chambers

Drawing From His Presence

Genesis 4:7

“… if you do not do what is appropriate, sin is crouching near…, turning toward you…”

       The consequence of Adam’s disobedience is that “God expelled the man from the garden of Eden…” [Gen 3:23]. Since then all his descendants (that includes us) have been born by default with the worst paradox of life: God exists, but his presence is not known by all. And that is absolutely inappropriate!

       This is the solution: “I have learnt…” from what Jesus has accomplished up to the Cross and beyond – not from my confidence in my own deeds – “… to be content in whatever situation I am in” [Phil 4:11]. The factor/cause is the Resurrection; my response to that factor/cause is to believe – in the Risen Lord; and the effect of such response is the Holy Spirit living in me. Then, God always directs me to where he will root me deeper in himself.

       “I can do all things through the Messiah who strengthens me…” [Phil 4:13] and, despite all the things I do, as a result the situation may not instantly turn out well; it is sometimes very paradoxical – “… Nevertheless, it was kind of you to share my troubles” [v. 14]; I thank God for the brothers and sisters who care and share.

       Facing various trials in this life, “… if you do not do what is appropriate, sin is crouching near…” and “… anyone who knows what is right but fails to do it is guilty of sin” [James 4:17], and “… if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God… in faith… and it will be given to him” [James 1:5--7].

       Living continually in this manner, in spite of the trials, I eventually realise what is not meant-to-be-hidden: the ever-loving, ever-faithful, ever-hope-assuring Presence of the Most High.

Am I Accepted Or Not?

Genesis 4:7

 “If you do what is appropriate, you’ll be accepted, won’t you?”

       Sometimes I think this way: “I have done what is appropriate, but still I don’t feel my efforts accepted.” That, I believe, is an inappropriate thinking; such mindset often causes me to be “… upset and downcast…” [Gen 4:5]. With that mental attitude comes the exclaimation, “Now, what have I done wrong to deserve this?”

 “Even your heart, if it is not entirely immersed in the Spirit, will deceive you.”

– Smith Wigglesworth

       I must not deceive myself; what is most appropriate for all of us is to seek God first concerning his kingdom and his righteousness [Matt 6:33].

       After that, concerning relationships among different people, in all matters I should apply what Paul through Roman 12:14 – 21 had exhorted us to do, as classical author Oswald Chamber also wrote in view of the Sermon On The Mount, “In this world never look for justice, but never cease to give it”.

       In short, this is the utmost important: “The Lord our God is one Lord… love the Lord your God… love your neighbour as yourself…” [Mark 12:29-30]. It is written, “This is how God loved the world: He gave his unique Son…” [John 3:16], and setting himself as a standard example God’s unique Son said, “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” [John 13:34].

       I had often sought desperately to be loved by others, but God’s commandment for us is to love (as he has first loved us); being loved remains a gift and highest-privilege for us, and incessant insistences upon my individual wants/desires are often inappropriate inclinations to initiate with; I shall now begin by surrendering my will to the Sovereign Lord, listening to and obeying his clear instructions, shall I not?

Countering Fear

Genesis 3:9

‘… the LORD God called out to the man, asking him, “Where are you?”’

          Adam found no refuge more peaceful than to hide himself from the LORD, still being afraid, still giving in to the serpent near him. The spirit within that serpent gets near us sinners today, tempting us, and trying to fill us with terror; but let’s understand the Spirit of the Messiah:

          “… he came to convince and humble them, not to amaze and terrify them. He came not immediately from heaven in their view as afterwards on Mount Sinai, but he came in the garden, as one that was still willing to be familiar with them. He came walking, not riding upon the wings of the wind, but walking deliberately, as one slow to anger. He came in the cool of the day, not in the night, when all fears are doubly fearful; nor did he come suddenly upon them, but they heard his voice at some distance, giving them notice of his coming; and probably it was a still small voice, like that in which he came to enquire after Elijah. And they hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God – A sad change! Before they had sinned, if they heard the voice of the Lord God coming towards them, they would have run to meet him, but now God was become a terror to them, and then no marvel they were become a terror to themselves.”

– John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes On The Whole Bible

          The point is: Adam knew God called, still he hid, but do we even know the voice of the Messiah today – and pursue him, by faith? He has made it clear that we are not to be afraid, “… I’ll never turn away the one who comes to me” [John 6:37].

Trusting In God As A Single

Genesis 2:18

Later, the LORD God said, “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make for him a companion corresponding to him.”

       ‘Later…’ – that is, when the right time came – ‘… the LORD God said, “… I will make for him a companion…”’, for before that Adam went around exploring the created world, “but there was not found for the man any companion…” [v. 20].

       This indicates that God is involved in creating opportunities concerning a person’s life-companion; at the right and special time God ‘… brought her to the man…’ [v. 22]. Yet, such indication is complemented by the freedom God has given us; for instance, “If they decide it’s a good idea in their opinion to get married…, let them get married…” [Num 36:6].

       And God through his wisdom knows whom I will choose by my free-will to marry; I believe that he will bring her to me (and me to her), whereas the rest are mysteries and wonders which I have to discover, through pleasant or unpleasant experiences, together with that special-someone.

       While we are permitted the freedom to choose a life companion on our own initiatives, before (and after) making that decision she and I must go (and grow) through the test of being willing to take up various responsibilities, mutually. Hence, I must now keep walking so close to God, who has designed the routes of my life, that I learn to exercise my free-will wisely.

       In conclusion, despite being single, available and desperate, I should put my trust in God, living life close to him and taking initiatives to make friends – both males and females, of course – and bond solidly with a few of them. Surely then, through the course of friendship, I will know who the right lady is for me as well as when the right time is for us to court and/or, after examining through courtship whether or not she and I correspond to one another, to decide on marriage.

Leadership

Genesis 1:26

“Let them be masters…”

       Mastering over can be defined as (1) having expertise and mastery over particular fields of abstract or practical knowledge and skills or (2) exerting authority over our subordinates, servants or creatures, the latter of which can be an attribute under leadership, which in turn has a broad range of definitions. However, the epitome and leader of all living principles for mankind is none other than the sinless Son of Man – “… I will draw all people to myself” [John 12:32].

       “Let them be masters… over the earth itself…” – that is, over the Nature, and over its systems, theories, practices and their applications in this world. It is another matter to master harshly over people, which is prohibited [Lev 25:43], as it is also written, “… God created mankind in his own image…” [Gen 1:26, 27], consistent with what Jesus proclaimed on earth, “Just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be one in us…” – Jesus  [Gospel of John 17:21].

       Between God and us, continual, clear instructions from the triune-God transforms the way we  exercise leadership and help us behave as human living in union with him, if we take heed. Then, regarding the relationships among people, we tolerate individual differences and respect different personalities, without compromising God’s clear instructions.

       Some people are taskmasters, while some others mislead people, so God decreed the Ten Commandments [Exo 20:2-17] through which all violators will be condemned, and through his Spirit gave his Son [John 3:16] to lead, liberate and lift up all who choose to believe in and follow him as Lord and Saviour. In short, so long as we are still alive, there is always much more to learn about leadership and life. Am I continually examining myself according to the standard example of as well as remaining in communion with the Messiah, or am I who I am, a godless leader?

The Sabbath

Genesis 2:2

By the seventh day God had completed the work he had been doing, so on the seventh day he stopped working on everything that he had done.

 

       Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word שׁבּת (pronounced: shabbâth) meaning intermission – ‘a pause’ or ‘a break’ from all routine work [Isa 58:13].

       On the one hand, continuing to work for individual benefits during the Sabbath is considered profanity [Neh 13:15-18]. On the other hand, imposing with our own opinions hard and fast rules on ourselves and on others about the Sabbath day is not acceptable before the Lord either [Matt 12]. Neither is it apt to opt for a balance of the two; Sabbath is a sign or reminder of God’s relationship to his children [Exo 31:13; Eze 20:12, 20].

“My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.”

Jesus – [Gospel of John 10:27]

       That is the sign and reminder! When we take a break to commune with the Lord of the Sabbath [Matt 12:8] and to do good [v. 12], regularly and with an open heart, we come to know more of him and of the tasks or instructions that he gives us, and so work not only for him but also with him.

“There are not three stages in spiritual life – worship, waiting and work. … God’s idea is that the three should go together… [as exemplified by Jesus, who was] unhasting and unresting.”

Oswald Chambers

       Therefore, I believe the fourth Commandment – “Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy” [Exo 20:8] – speaks about life in the Spirit daily (so that we live by faith with deeds, remaining in communion with God); it is neither about mere-rituals [Isa 29:13; 1Sam 15:22] nor about weekly hibernations [John 5:17]!

       Then, the principle of Sabbath – that is, taking a break for a quality communion and doing good deeds – can be applied in other aspects of life; I must remember to continually apply that principle into my relationship with God as well as with my family, my friend(s), the communities and the Church. This sign/reminder always follows such principle: God is with us, not just me.

For The Ever-Greater Next-Moments

Genesis 1:1-3

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. When the earth was unformed and desolate, with the surface of the ocean depths shrouded in darkness, and while the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters, God said, “Let there be light!” So there was light.

 

       ISV Bible also translates Gen 1:1-2 in this way: “When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was unformed and desolate….” That was an account of the Creation. It revealed how God worked – step by step. There are moments of desolations in our lives, but God never fails to intervene (for our good), and he does it step by step.

       For a long time I had failed to give thanks to the Creator for the good things he had done, and by my own understanding I became depressed and distressed due to those moments ‘… shrouded in darkness…’ . And “… while the Spirit of God was hovering…,” hovering over my desolating situations, I ignored his Presence and insist on my way of thinking.

       God went on in his sovereignty and said, “Let there be…”, but still I failed to take heed. Then, as God said, ‘… So there was….’ – good things finally came to pass. But alas, the moment I realised that, my heart was hardened, and I missed the blessing God had had for me through his wisdom! And before long I began to argue,“If only…”.

       Therefore, I have to make the right choice. In the midst of all kinds of desolating cirsumstances I must prepare – not harden – my heart; God has promised to neither fail us nor abandon us [Josh 1:5], so despite my desolating moments I must be ready for the next moment of ‘God said’, for the next moment of ‘So there was’, for the next moment of ‘how good it was’ – “Everything is possible for the person who believes!” – [Mark 9:23].

“What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.”

– Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of Britain

       So friends, are we partnering with God – communing with him – for all the ever-greater next-moments, and do what we should, now? When in the Final Moment the Restoration finds its perfection as the Saviour returns, when he’s going to say it again,“… indeed, it was very good!” [Gen 1:31], may we not find ourselves left behind at another place – “In that place there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth” [Matt 8:12].