Today’s reading is Genesis 1-4.

Daily Devotional – “To Cultivate & Keep” – GENESIS 2:15

No, I do not believe that the first 11 chapters of Genesis are an allegory, as some in the religious world believe. While I believe absolutely in the historical accuracy and scientific support for supernatural creation, I think we can learn much from the “creation story” concerning the church (God’s “re-creation”) using an allegorical approach to glean principles and illustration. As such, just as God created mankind for His purpose, He has re-created mankind (i.e., “saved in Christ”) for His purpose. As we start this year-long walk through Scripture, put yourself in the “garden”...

Adam and Eve had no role in the creation other than being created. Yet, look at the responsibility placed upon them by God. This marvelous creation was theirs to “subdue” and “fill” and “rule” (Genesis 1:28), even though God was ultimately in charge. Inseparable from this command was the command to “cultivate” and “keep” the garden. Not only were they supposed to do their part in the procreative process of multiplying the human race, but they had to work the garden (cultivate) so that it would produce and maintain the garden (keep) so that it would not deteriorate. Wow, I sure am glad God did not give us such a task in the church! Or, did He?

We each have been given new life in Christ by supernatural re-creative activity (grace through faith), and have great responsibility placed upon us by God. Christians must be “fruitful”. A stagnant life that reaches its spiritual peak emerging from the waters of baptism does not fulfill God’s purpose. We simply cannot be fruitful unless we are willing to “cultivate” spirituality through listening to God, prayer, fellowship, worship, and practicing Christ’s righteousness and love on a daily basis. At the same time, the Lord’s church is precious and holy and God has given it into our hands to “keep”, thus faithfulness (loyalty) to Christ and faithful adherence to and application of His Word are required of His servants in the church. Finally, the church will die in the next generation unless we “multiply”.

The “revolution within” will take us back to the beginning (“genesis”) to find the essence of God’s purpose for us. We will find nothing NEW, but we must find it ANEW. Let us cultivate and keep the garden, as we strive to be fruitful and multiply and subdue this whole creation for the Lord our God!