IMAGES OF GOD # 16

Just as the manufacturer supplies the purchaser with a list of instructions to optimise the use of his product, even so God, our Creator, has given us a list of instructions.

God's instructions - his laws, his commands - are not given to inhibit us, but rather to define the life for which we, as humans, were created. He who made us knows best how we achieve our optimum potential. He who made us knows exactly what is good for us and what is bad for us.

For instance, negative emotions which are forbidden by his command - anger, hatred, jealousy, fear - are now known by medical scientists to cause or contribute to a wide range of physical and psychological problems. The social and relational difficulties we experience are largely due to the choices we ourselves, and others, make to act contrary to God's instructions.

God is for us. His will and purpose is for our good. It is only our historic, personal and corporate choices to disobey our Maker's instructions, to break out from his set guidelines for the authentic human life, that have plunged human life into the mess it is in.

Is there any remedy? Can the damage be reversed or repaired? Yes. It can. God's 'repair kit' involves repentance and regeneration. Check out the studies on these two concepts in the 'Words of Salvation' studies on this website.

Scripture: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 20:1-17; Leviticus 18:1-30; Deuteronomy 6:4; 18:9-13; Luke 10:27; Psalm 1:1-3; Psalm 119; 1 John 5:3; Romans 13:8-10; Acts 3:19; John 3:1-7.