I just finished listening to Ray's teaching from February 2008 for the umpteenth time on the Creation verses of Genesis.
It hadn't occurred to me before, but y'know when something just hits you?
Forgive me if you've heard this before.
Ray is talking about God creating the Earth and then, by command, the
Earth producing the grass, (the 'green').
Then the "sprouting" of the trees and then, by command, the
trees producing the fruit.
It just struck me as awesome, that as early, in the text's of scripture, as Genesis, that God is revealing the future condition of man.
That He created man, then by command,
man produces his fruit. First children (the physical), then, at the other end of History, the spiritual man, the fruits of the Spirit (the spiritual)
Not all trees bear fruit; as we understand 'fruit'.
So not all men bear fruit; either children or Fruits of the Spirit.
But ALL is subject to His command!
It's like, although God creates each 'thing'; By His following command some things bear very little or nothing, while some bear an abundance of or, (by man's measure), too much!
But all of this production of 'fruit', physical or spiritual, is by command!
I know this sound's childishly simplistic, but I overlooked this facet of these verses so many times!
I just find it amazing that this parallel is alluded to as early as Genesis 1 !!
God certainly doesn't waste time!
I remember Ray's teaching on the whole of scripture being a parable in one form or another; and it's entirely about
God's choice.!
It makes it easier for me to accept my weaknesses and deficits, at this moment in my life, as commanded of God! And if He has commanded that at some other part of my life, that there will be an increase or even a decrease, that there is absolutely nothing I can do about it!
I now appreciate more the, "fear and trembling" that we work with; but paradoxically,
what incredible serenity there is in understanding that we do
not have 'free will'. !!!
"But who would believe our report?"
http://bible-truths.com/audio/BibleStudy11-02-08Pt01.mp3
Grape