The Word for Writers
PLOT. So far we have discussed the setting and the characters in God's story. But all stories must have a plot as well. A plot is the storyline set in motion by the introduction of the protagonist--and the revelation of the protagonist's goals.
As noted in the previous installment, the protagonist in God's story is His chosen people in the earth. Israel filled this role in Old Testament times and ever since the day of Pentecost, the Church has been the protagonist in His story.
God's people, both Old Testament Israel and the New Testament Church, were and are a nation among nations. The Apostle Peter writes, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (I Peter 2:9 NIV)
The nation of God's people--the protagonist in His story--lives and walks among the other nations. Though the other nation-characters languish in confusion, the people of God are pregnant with purpose. They have been instructed and empowered to fulfill a specific task.
God set His story into motion in the very beginning--in the Garden of Eden--with these words:
"... Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Gen 1:28 KJV)
These are the first recorded words of God to man. Note there is nothing in this passage about fellowship, intimacy or communion with God. We could assume that Adam already enjoyed an intimacy with God. But then again, maybe he did not. We really do not know. What we do know is that God gave Adam a specific commandment--a mission! He told Adam to be productive, to populate the earth, and to bring all the resources of the earth under his jurisdiction.
We see hints of this same mission in Jesus' teachings about the kingdom of God. Jesus had much to say about the kingdom. But just what is God's kingdom? In simplest terms, it is that place where God is King. Clearly, God's commission to Adam represents His desire to see that the earth is brought under the care and mangement of Adam working as God's steward or representative in His creation. God desired to see His heavenly kingdom extended into the earth.
Of course Adam was not Israel. Nor was he the Church. Or was he?
Even a cursory look at Scripture and history reveals that somewhere on the earth at any moment in time, God has always had a remnant representative present. Between Adam's fall and the arrival of Abraham, we find Abel, Enoch, and Noah--three righteous men. And from Abraham to the present, God's covenant, both old and new, has been in play. God has never left His creation without someone to represent Him in the earth. In a sense then, the seed of both Israel and the Church were present in Adam when he received his commission from God.
What then is the plot of God's story? With the earth as the setting and God's people as His story's protagonist, God set the wheels in motion by announcing His goal--be productive, fill the earth, extend My rule, bring everything in creation under the management of My kingdom principles and precepts.
In essence, the protagonist--God's community of saints in the earth--has been charged with the responsibility of leading the nations to the throne of God. Jesus commissioned His Church to teach not just individuals but entire nations about Him and His ways(47). While the cultural mandate given to Adam in Eden's garden was the first goal, fulfilling the Great Commission is the protagonist's renewed goal and a secondary measuring stick against which the effectiveness of God's people will be measured. In many ways, Christ's Great Commission to the Church is the redemptive counterpart to God's original mandate to Adam.
How then is His story progressing? Let us take a few measurements.
What did the protagonist--the Lord's Vineyard, Christ's Bride--set out to achieve? What has she encountered along her path? Has she overcome obstacles? Did she accomplish her mission? What yet stands in her way?
The story--the plot--reveals in rich texture and colorful fabric, the protagonist's struggle to achieve the goal which God has set for her against many odds. Can we agree that we are yet in the thick of His story's plot as it continues to unfold around us?
..............
(47) Matt 28:19-20
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 927 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Mark Weaver or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 927 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.