'Redemptive communication starts with God and ends with God. It does not start with the problem. The answer existed before the problem.'
I'm not sure what I was thinking or reading when I wrote this that back in 2014. Wow. What a different mindset that is.
If we are creatures that crawled out from the mud what we face is new then new solutions are needed but if we are eternal created things then the architect that made us also has an answer for what we face. He 'Is' the answer.
A bunch of fiction comes to mind. One, in particular, that influenced me as a young person was the film 'Blade Runner.' A sequel came out recently. The original movie was based on a novel that came out in 1968 called, 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' On the surface, the film looks like a post-apocalyptic thriller set in San Francisco. This future is dark. Mankind has created humanoid beings called replicants to help him colonize the stars. These beings think they are people and have purposely short lifespans. The main character is a man who has the job of hunting down replicants who are loose among the human population on Earth. As the story progresses it becomes unclear to the man if he is really a man at all. The viewer sees his conflict of identity. Is he really a person with free will or a creation? Near the end of the movie version, a particularly strong and smart replicant named Roy finds a way to get into his creator's ivory tower and argues with him about his short lifespan. In the end Roy kills the man who made him.
I told you it was a dark story. Flawed fallen man has a tendency to picture God as flawed and fallen. A man or woman separated from God's mind must fend for themselves.
'Bladerunner' is considered a classic film for many reasons but things become classic because they hit home in people. Classics touch on some theme that people can relate to.
Am I real? Is God flawed like me? If I can't discover who I am how do I live my life?
Biblical faith is based on a different premise. The Bible reveals a deity who is multifaceted, holy and perfect. We are made in his image and have fallen from that perfection.
"Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." - James 1:16-18 ESV
Umm... wow...
The answers we seek are in Him and have been there all along.
Jesus walked and talked like a man who was sure of His provision.
"This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: 'I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.' " - Matthew 13:35 ESV
The Bible has the answers you seek. Your problem isn't new. The answer is actually very old but forever new at the same time.
Jesus is the answer. His cross is the answer. His forgiveness. His life. You may say, 'How on Earth would how that man lived or died have anything to do with my life. You don't know what I'm going through.'
The thing is... Jesus was not just a man... His cross was not just His death... we died there with Him if we believe in Him... God isn't flawed.
"For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." - Romans 8:6-8 ESV
A man who is separated from God is hostile to God.
"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." - 2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV
Yes! That reconciliation is found in Christ. He is the answer. If you find Him Heaven's door is opened to you. He is the answer you seek.
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