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Written by Mr. Trev McCallum
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 Through these articles I have sought to illustrate that we bear the image of God. Genesis 1reveals that we are made in God’s image and likeness. This carries enormous ramifications. We either faithfully go into the world to beautify/glorify it unto our God or in unbelief we distort the very image we bear. Adam, and his descendants, was to go out from the Garden of Eden down through the land of Eden and unto the ends of the world. He was to faithfully seek to glorify the world through taking dominion over all things. But we know the account. He sinned. Adam failed to protect his wife. He did not protect his bride and the sanctuary of the home was invaded. Ultimately Adam failed to obey God, in a number of ways. Hence sin entered the world through one man. However, the Second Adam conquered sin and commissioned the Church, His bride, to go out to the ends of the world. To do what? Baptise the nations, teaching them to obey everything that Jesus commanded. A new world order was established when Christ rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, sat down at the Father’s right hand and received the heathen nations as His inheritance. The Messiah brought with Him the Kingdom of God; a new heaven and earth to be beautified by the Gospel. The distinction between Jew and Gentile was removed and the great river of hope and salvation flowed out to the Heathen nations. Unity in diversity was achieved. The Church has always been one Church and through Christ the middle wall, separating Jew and Gentile, was removed. God’s people are not divided, Jesus has one body. This one body consists of many parts, from every nation and tribe. Our over arching mission is inexplicitly tied to the imagery seen in the Garden. As heirs of Christ we are to worship Him as His people. From there we are sent out to fulfil the roles assigned us. Husbands till their garden (i.e. their family) and then go down and out into the jungle (i.e. the world) to bring captive all thoughts to the obedience of Christ. Wives tend the home garden, keeping the home and raising children. Hence, through seeking first the Kingdom of God we beautify the whole world to the glory of God. This may sound far fetched and New Agey to many readers. But bear in mind that every anti-Christian worldview is a fraud. It is a vein, dim replica of the real thing – Christ’s Kingdom. Satan, his minions and all God haters do not posses original creativity.
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Written by Mr. Trev McCallum
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 In the last Image Bearers article I looked at the undergirding principles to the modern view pitting “law versus grace.” As image bearers we ought to desire an understanding of the Scriptures and how they apply to all of faith and life. The image we ought to reflect is that of the Christ. We ought to think God’s thoughts after Him. So what should our focus be as followers of Jesus? This is a big question. In fact it is an enormous question. Our response to what Christ has done for us develops the framework in which we view man’s chief end. As image bearers is our ultimate life goal to evangelise the world; or is it to bring the Word of God to bear on all things across the globe; or are we to concentrate our attention on relationships and loving others in whatever means we can? In other words; how should our salvation shape our lives? This is a complex question and cannot be fully resolved in a short online article. What I am trying to accomplish through the Image Bearers series is to chip into, or perhaps start, the discussion here in Australia. The issue needs to be chewed on, debated and teased out. Iron does sharpen iron ( Proverbs 27:17; Isaiah 1:18). By in large the Australian church is shrinking[1], young Christians are leaving our churches (across all denominations) in droves[2] and society looks at us with distain. Some may argue this is because we are nearing the end. Well, the early church went through far greater “tribulations” than what we, “western” Christians have faced. We are not lit as candles to light pagan celebrations and meals. It is a long time since a Christian has been fed to the beasts in a coliseum. Christianity has largely provided freedom and prosperity to those who live within the bounds of western civilisation. Has this been the result of an inward, heart only individual faith? Should our salvation impact more than our hearts?
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Written by Mr. Trev McCallum
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91 |
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 Legalism seems to be a loose term wildly thrown about in Christian circles today. It is used to warn believers of the “dangers” of seeking to be faithfully obedient to God’s Word/Law. Seeking to walk obediently before God is often equated with legalism. Labels stick. Nigel Mitchell informs us that “the easiest way to tell a Pharisee [is] - someone who emphasises obedience. The easiest way to identify a Christian is - someone who emphasises faith.”[1] The modern church’s war cry rings loud and clear; “we are under grace not law, Christianity has no outward rules but is concerned with the heart.” Passages such as Romans 6:14, “ye are not under the law, but under grace” are presented as the premise for the argument. Further, Romans 7:4,” ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ” (and Galatians 2:9), are offered as proof texts which drive the popular anti-law[2] thinking of many moderns. W B Howard states it like this; “Law is in contrast with grace. Christians must not return to the Mosaic Law as a basis for righteousness in the Church Age. It is a departure from the New Testament faith…We are never, as Christians, sanctified by keeping the law.”[3] Now there are some truths in these statements. Salvation is, was and always will be by God’s grace and not His Law. However, the basic premise is fallacious; it is circular.[4] Law is not the antithesis to grace. Rather, God’s Law has always been gracious; it has always revealed the character of God thus “its fundamental content can never change.”[5]
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