As we look around our world today, it’s hard to remember that when God finished creating everything in the heavens and on earth, He called it very good (Genesis 1:31). We’re a long way from Eden and the paradise the Lord created. Often, Evil and ugliness hide the wonder and beauty of our world. This isn’t how things are supposed to be.
The Lord created a beautiful world full of beautiful landscapes and amazing creatures. God created everything to reflect His glory and to cause us to glorify Him. Now the world is dying, groaning for a return to its original beauty, desperate to return to the state of being “very good” (Romans 8:22).
In the beginning, God created everything. There is nothing on earth that wasn’t created by Him (John 1:3). Every tree, every flower, and every species comes from the limitless imagination of our Creator and Lord. From the start, everything reflected the beauty of our God. Even we humans were perfect, walking in daily communion with the Creator Himself (Genesis 3:8). Can you imagine how much more vivid the colors must have been, how much more exquisite the aromas were? Everything was perfect. We are indeed a long way from Eden.
When sin entered the world, everything began winding down. Death became a reality for the first time. What was created to be eternal is now damaged beyond repair. Beauty has been disfigured, and the inexhaustible is now running out. Everything’s going the wrong way. Contrary to the theory of evolution which states everything is advancing, reality demonstrates everything is decaying. Everything is finite and breaking down. What was very good has become ugly and very bad. The world and all who inhabit it are desperate for redemption.
That redemption is available in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the only Son of God and the sacrifice for our sins. Jesus is the truth and the only way to God and eternal life (John 14:6). It was through Jesus the world was spoken into Creation (John 1:1-3). In the beginning, all of that creation was very good, and now the only thing still very good is Jesus, our Lord. This world is passing away, and only He and His truth will remain (1 John 2:17). Under the rule of Christ, all things are very good. Without Him, evil and decay invade every corner of our lives.
We’re a long way from Eden, and we’ve only got one shot at recovering what was lost. We must repent of our sins, turn away from our selfishness and pride, and surrender our lives to the One who makes everything very good. After spending thousands of years destroying all the good the Lord created, it’s too late for the whole of the earth. But there is still time for a few. Don’t waste the rest of your life doing what you’ve always done. That will only get you what you’ve always gotten. Repent; leave sin and decay behind. Give glory to God and surrender to His Lordship. Surrender to the life He created you to live. I promise you, it will be “very good”.