Scripture Introduction
The word “dominion” connotes bad feelings for many. We are sensitive to the dominion of the tyrant oppressing for self-centered gain, or the husband cowering wife and children for his own pleasure, or the dominion of a religious fanatic who enjoys feeling god-like, or even the abuse of our environment in the name of dominion over creation. The hope of a benevolent dictator still appears in movies and fairy tales, but few of us imagine that such exists here and now. The sinful nature especially appears in relationships where one is in authority over another, so that the old saying proves true, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
So you may be surprised that God gives Adam and Eve what Bible students call a “dominion mandate,” a calling to subdue as rulers in God’s stead.
But as Dr. Donald Gowan writes in his book, From Eden to Babel, 30: “The truth is that the real earth must be subdued if people are to survive. The weather, hostile animals, and infertile soil threaten life and must be struggled against, something the present triumphs of technology may lead us to forget. We live in a world that technology has subdued with such devastating effects, in some cases, that we now find the words of v. 28 to be somewhat of an embarrassment. Some have blamed all of our current environmental ills on these words; but that is surely a historical mistake, for people’s real motives for ecological irresponsibility have seldom been the desire to take Scripture seriously. Some have appealed to Genesis 1.28 when challenged, but such arguments tend to be after the fact. If we can imagine what it was like to live in the pretechnological world, where frail human beings were vulnerable to a terrifying array of natural forces, we may see that for people of that time ‘subdue’ was not too strong a term.”
Today we study God’s calling to rule over creation, especially in light of our sin and God’s grace. We have three texts; the first is the calling of the dominion mandate in Genesis 1, then the two New Testament texts that call for us to be recreated in the image of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
[Read Genesis 1.26-2.1: Colossians 3.9b-10: “You have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Ephesians 4.22-24: “Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Pray.]
Introduction
One of great Christian thinkers of the 20th century was Francis Schaeffer. He wrote about living out the Christian faith in a morally failing world. The title of one of his books was an especially appropriate question: How Should We Then Live? Schaeffer seeks answers to questions like, “What is the relation between a Christian and the culture? What are Christians to do in and to this world? Does the call to take dominion remain as it was given Adam?”
It seems that Christians offer two very different but equally incorrect answers.
One proposal is to hide our light, to retreat from the world, to keep religion to ourselves. Named, “Pietism,” this perspective suggests that faith should be personal and private, creating what has been called “The Naked Public Square,” a society without the light and truth of supernatural, revealed religion to guide its passions.
Someone once asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come. He answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you [or it could be translated, ‘the kingdom of God is within you’]” (Luke 17.20-21). A pietistic view of how we should then live makes that the complete word on the subject, so the kingdom is only internal, without effect or influence.
The opposite opinion, “triumphalism,” wants Christians to force
truth on others. Seeming to ignore Jesus’ words in Luke 17, this position makes the kingdom completely external, where truth changes the world without regard to the preference of the people or even whether it has properly impacted us.
There is a third way. Yes, the kingdom is within you and its influence radiates out. Its power is not coercion of the body, but persuasion of the soul and conscience. Its rule advances by the grace of the gospel as it changes hearts and lives. Matthew Henry, “It weans from the world those who were wedded to the world, and makes those that were proud, and vain, and carnal, into those who are humble, and serious, and heavenly.”
Jesus calls it salt and light – preserving, flavoring, blessing, influencing – making a difference in the lives of others through the difference God has made in our lives. We are neither impotent (hiding the light of Christ), nor obnoxious (focusing the light on ourselves). Our influence attracts when his light shines in us, and all the glory ascends to the Father in heaven. This is the calling which God enables in his people. To get there, please notice, first…
1. God Calls Us to Be Like Him (Genesis 1.27)
Genesis 1.27: “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
Humans have many unique traits which reflect God. One group is the external (or physical) differences between us and other living, breathing beings: a) the ability and desire to gaze upward (while most animals look down); b) the capacity for varying facial expressions; c) a sense of shame and the ability to blush; d) speech – communication comes from God’s image in us. Additionally, there are internal aspects: we have an a) immortal soul; b) self-awareness; c) ability to reason; d) ability to chose what is good; e) freedom of the will; f) a conscience; g) friendship: like and love people.
Each of those relates to our creation in the image and likeness of God. But the Bible draws our attention to three special traits: knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. We know this from two New Testament verses which tell of God’s re-creating his image in us.
Colossians 3.9b-10: “Put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”
Ephesians 4.22-24: “Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
1.1. Knowledge
The first key word is “knowledge,” an understanding of who God is, a realization of what God requires, a grasp of how and why God created the world. Adam and Eve realized what pleased God, they were aware of what would bring themselves joy and happiness, and they could see how to care for their Father’s world. To carry God’s image is to have knowledge, understanding, wisdom.
1.2. Righteousness
There is also “righteousness,” the will and desire to do what God requires. The fall drove righteousness from us; we no longer naturally want what is good. But on that first day, Adam and Eve could do all things for the glory of God, and they could experience the perfect bliss of obedience, loving God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.
1.3. Holiness
Third is “holiness,” freedom from any and all defilement. Adam and Eve had no selfish motives, no innate desire to rebel, and no hatred of God’s laws. We were created to delight in God’s presence. Let’s apply this to our calling.
1.4. Application
There is a backward looking and a forward looking application. Looking backward, we reject the thought of returning to Eden. Creation was cursed in Adam’s sin; therefore, we must not fantasize of a culture or a nation, of children or a spouse, of a church or a government, without problems and failings. It is no honor to be critical of others – we must end the dream that we can make paradise on this planet. We need a Biblically sober appreciation of the power of indwelling sin. The final and full solution awaits the new creation, the coming of Christ. Come, Lord Jesus!
But while we reject a return to Eden, we also rejoice as we look forward to God’s work in us. The image defaced, Christ recreates! In Genesis 1, God stamps his likeness on the clay figures he made, but by Genesis 3 we have ruined what was so beautiful. The rest of the Bible tells the story of God’s restoring and recreating – for greater glory to God because he makes finer what was worse!
This is not an outward conformity, a law which constrains behavior and compels obedience. It is an inner work, a new life, living water, the fruit of the Spirit making all things new. When God adopts a person into his family, his Spirit unites their soul to the Son, painstakingly restoring his likeness into their hearts and minds. This is your glorious and holy calling, beloved of the Lord!
So how does this work on in real life? Every sermon should answer that question in part, but I will give one specific example. Many men are frustrated with their home life because they count on their rights as head of the household to make life simple and easy. Maybe you are eager for me to tell your wife to submit.
But Genesis 1 puts headship after image, and Colossians and Ephesians teach that image is recreated by the work of the Spirit and our abiding in Christ. So what do we do?
We begin with knowledge; we realize that men are not to force submission on their wives, but rather the wife submits out of faith and love for God. We also know that Christ-following headship is not about demanding our own rights, but the right to die for those whom we love. By true knowledge, I recognize my own tendency to selfishness, and that I have more room for growth in my submission to God (and hence my modeling of headship) than my wife does in her submission to me. I also know that I do not deserve any authority or respect, but that any which is given is a gift of God’s grace through my wife to me.
Christ also creates in us true righteousness. Not the outward forms of behavior modification, but the righteousness that comes by faith. No longer must I demand a perfect wife and child, so that others will think well of me. God thinks well of me because of his perfect son. The righteousness of Christ in me gives me the power and authority to serve rather than lord.
And also holiness – freedom from selfish motives and the desire to have my own way. I no longer demand that others serve me, because my focus is on my service to God! My wife’s failings (perceived or real) matter little to me when my eye is on my master, set apart for his calling and use!
Usually when I try to explain this to men they look at me and says, “Pastor, you don’t understand my wife.”
Of course, you would be right. I do not. But without being rude, and with all love and sincerely, I must say to you, “You don’t understand my God.”
Men, the gospel is not about your wife’s willingness or not to submit to your headship; it is about God’s power and grace to make you like Jesus. This is your calling – die to self so the image of Christ is born again in you!
2. God Calls Us to Rule Like and For Him
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit conspire to make mankind in their image and decide to give us dominion in his stead. Notice, first, that…
2.1. God’s Call Includes God’s Blessing
Genesis 1.28a: “And God blessed them….”
If we consider the vastness of the commands and commissions which God gives his people, we easily despair. The work is too great, the challenges too hard, the problems too many. When doubt undermines your hope, plant yourself in the beginning of this verse: God blessed them.
Have not you who are wives thought, “I cannot submit to this man.” God blesses you with the promise that “You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.” Have not you who are husbands doubted that you could love unselfishly a selfish wife? God blesses you with the assurance that in Christ “you will bear much fruit.” Most everyone here has thought, this church cannot thrive, much less survive. God blesses us with the promise that he will never leave nor forsake us, and that he is with us when we go out in his name to evangelize and disciple the nations.
God’s call is not for you to get busy so that people will praise your work ethic. It is to get busy so that people will see God’s blessing on our weak and futile efforts. If we do not go out with the gospel they will not know that we are weak and God is great. God’s call always includes his blessing.
2.2. God’s Call Requires Filling
Genesis 1.28b: “Be fruitful and multiply….” Details of how this text relates to singleness and birth control and other important questions must wait. Today simply notice this: ruling in God’s stead results from many people in his image. So too does influencing this world for Christ. “Make disciples of all nations,” were the last words of Jesus in the Gospels. The Kingdom of God neither comes in power nor advances because the mighty are converted. The Kingdom comes in power because many millions, who, from a worldly perspective are insignificant and unimportant, are adopted as sons and daughters of the King. We fill the earth with his glory and populate heaven with songs of praise to the great One.
We dare not doubt the influence of a sinner in the grip of grace to witness to the glory of the Gospel and to lead many to faith in Christ and to change this world.
2.3. God’s Call Is To Subdue In His Name
Richard Pratt, “We do not labor simply to survive – insects do that. Our work is an honor, a privileged commission from our great King.”
Because the words “dominion,” and “authority,” and “subdue” have negative connotations, we may not have thought biblically about what they mean. Here are some examples:
• Take dominion of your mind, “…bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2Corinthians 10.5).
• Regardless of where your kids go to school, take dominion of their education, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22.6).
• If you stay at home cooking and changing diapers, take dominion for God where you are, for the godly woman “looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness” (Proverbs 31.27).
• Subdue the “desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions” (1John 2.16).
• Take dominion over your body: “discipline…and bring it into subjection…” (1Corinthians 9.27).
If you believe that humans become like Christ through faith, then take dominion of your free time, how you spend money, your appetites, your words, and how you respond to trials, troubles, and temptations. Christ is in you – the victory is his!
3. Conclusion: How Will We Respond?
3.1. Refuse Dominion
Abdication senses the difficulty of God’s call and runs from it. It recognizes that faith and the grace of God are required, and says, “I cannot do it; therefore I will not try.”
3.2. Autonomous Dominion
Autonomous dominion attempts control on my own terms. Adam and Eve did not consent to God’s authority, but attempted to establish their own. The result is the shattered image which we now possess in our souls. Autonomous Dominion says to God, “I can do it my way; and I will.”
3.3. Submissive Dominion
Dr. Douglass Kelly, “Godly Dominion is not centered either on self interest or even the created order itself as the final goal. Rather, God, his laws, and his glory are the only true end of all human activity, whether in daily work or worship.”
If refusing dominion says to God, “I cannot do it; therefore I will not”; and autonomous dominion says to God, “I can do it my way; and I will”; then Submissive Dominion says to God, “I cannot do it but I will, for it is Christ in me who works both to will and to do his good pleasure!”
Submissive dominion is God’s doing, through me, according to his
law, what Francis Schaeffer said, “act upon a Biblical world-view so as to influence society in all its parts and facets across the whole spectrum of life, as much as we can to the extent of our individual and collective ability.”
May God grant us the grace to influence the world, beginning in our own homes, as those who share in the divine nature – Christ in you, the hope of all mankind!
