By Pastor Royston Smith

The story of Adam and Eve found in the book of Genesis 1-3, all began with God. God formed Adam from the dust of the earth; then placed him in a deep sleep at which point God took one of Adam’s ribs and formed Eve. Male and female were created in the image of God, the crowning jewels of his creation. Being made in God’s image furnished both with inestimable dignity, equality, and worth. We were created for the glory of God.  The narrative is one of love and grace.  When sin entered the human race, we lost our purpose and direction, a beauty to ashes situation.  The record is one of the darkest chapters in the Bible, but the story sin is also … a story of hope, God’s push to transform and recreate his purpose in us.  Renown theological author, John Piper penned “Only in Christ can the purpose of creation be achieved.”  

We live in a rebellious world. Sin affects each of us. Harmony is shattered everywhere.  Cain’s murder of his own brother, Abel, left a legacy of hatred that continues to disfigure our communities. Marks of evil and criminality jump out at every corner, climate change ravishes societies, and racial injustice scars the landscape. Financial inequalities crippled the have-nots. Yet, we still see the reflection of God and good in our daily interactions. Jesus’ lifelong mission is to redeem and transform us, a kind of re-creation. His intention is to remove deprivation. His resolve is to restore us to holiness and right living. 

“I want them back, every last one who bears my name, every man, woman, and child Whom I created for my glory, yes, personally formed and made each one.” Isaiah 43:7 (MSG)

Jesus is the answer to societal woes.  

Connecting with Jesus widens our perspective. Our mindset will shift to a positive postcode. Recovery and rebuilding occur. Friendship with Jesus creates a great change within us. This is not just pointing the way to a set of ideals or moral principles. Rather, with God’s support and guidance, we are empowered to live meaningful and godly lives. 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”  2 Corinthians 5:17  

John got messed up in drugs and other criminal activities and ended up in prison. To find solace and relief from his guilt he began attending the services held at the chapel. The Bible he got from the prison was often used by other prisoners for rolling their own cigarettes. One day he was about to do the same, so he tore out a page to have a smoke. An ‘inner voice’ told him he should read the page. Following the voice, he read, and that was the first night he had a peaceful sleep. The more he read the more he became changed. Slowly, day-by-day, a healing of his addiction began to take place, until he was completely free of his craving. Richard was deeply affected by this and offered his life to Jesus. He began to experience such peace, today, not only is John the pastor of a church in United Kingdom, he is also the director of a program which helps to rehabilitate addicts and former prisoners. 

Like John, Jesus reaches out in love to you and wants to get you to a better place. He sets us free from all past and present wrongdoing. Jesus can ‘repurpose and refocus’ you. Life with Christ is an endless hope; without Him a hopeless end. Paul reminds us that, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). God’s ultimate purpose is to restore his image in each of us so that we can live a fulfilled and purpose driven life. 

 Let’s Pray

Dear God help me to connect with you. Change and transform me. Help me to walk in your way and allow your ultimate purpose to be fulfilled in my life. In your sweet name. Amen.