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RECOGNIZING GOD'S DIVINE NATURE IN HIS CREATION

What may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.
— Romans 1:19, 20

What is God's “divine nature”? We know that God is holy and cannot be tempted by evil (James 1:13). We know that God IS love (1 John 4:8, 16). We also know that God is not a God of chaos, but a God of order, design, and wisdom (Proverbs 8:24-31; 1 Corinthians 14:33). Most scientists who study “what God has made” — the world and the universe we live in — see evidence of intelligent design all around them. John's books on “Dandy Designs” are just a few examples of many design features we see throughout God's creation. Jeremiah 10:12 says that “God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.” The more science learns about God's creation, the more evidences they see of God's wisdom, power, and design.

Another aspect of God's divine nature is his creativity, artistry, and love of beauty. The fact that we live in a world full of spectacular color and beauty and diversity speaks eloquently of the nature of its Creator. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world” (Psalm 19:1-4).

Because we alone, as humans, were created uniquely in God's image, in their likeness (Genesis 1:26), we are able to reflect his nature, to some degree, sinful though we are. We can find fulfillment and happiness in relationships, in work, and in pursuing our individual interests and talents. We can appreciate and get satisfaction from the beauty and diversity and awesome natural wonders that surround us. This is why we create, why we love art and beauty and design, why we seek love, purpose, and meaning — we are but a poor reflection of our Creator and his divine nature.

— Cynthia Clayton

Picture credits:
© Julie Marcussen

Scripture links/references are from BibleGateway.com. Unhighlighted scriptures can be looked up at their website.