Scripture: The God who made the world and everything in it - He is Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in shrines made by hands. Neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. From one man He has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. He did this so they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. Acts 17:24-27
Observation: Paul amazingly summarizes the entire purpose of creation in four sentences. God created everything, and as a result he does not need anything or any work that any human could possible build in his honor. However, God reveals himself through creation and through our lives so that each person may seek him and believe in him as Lord.
That's it. That is the purpose of creation and the meaning of it all ... God seeks to reveal himself to us - though he is close to us at all times anyway - so that we may believe in him. The critical point is that it is God who acts. God creates majestic things as evidence of his love, authority, beauty, power, and grace. That creating includes the diversity of people, many types and nationalities all brought out of one creation. God does not need us to create any of this ... not idols, not temples, not statues, and not new definitions of mankind.
Application: Paul is the master of the elevator speech! Here he is, brought to speak at the center of philosophical thought in all of history - Mars Hill in first century Athens - and he is able to summarize the nature of God's creation in four sentences, and the argument for salvation through faith in Messiah in another two sentences ... that God is willing to overlook our ignorance in this time of judgment if we have faith.
This is a message I seek to remember. When discussing faith, I seek to stick to "Christ crucified" ... the idea that I shouldn't debate and discuss issues, but present the gospel. The gospel includes God's authority, love, and mercy, as the backdrop for salvation through faith. In speaking, Paul was demonstrably a master at this. I wish I could emulate him.
Prayer: Lord, give me your wisdom this week, please. May my words be short and full of your love. I desire the chance to express your truth, and I wish to be able to do so as clearly as Paul. Mostly, I seek to do you will at all times, to have the strength to resist evil thoughts and words, and to meditate on your word so that I may be renewed in your spirit. Amen.
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