Keeping up appearances

Have you ever looked at something and thought that it is such a mess I don't know where to begin?

Sometimes when we do, we choose to focus in on one little thing. We try and sort that and ignore the rest. We tidy the part of the house visitors will see, and shut the door on the rest.

God isn't like that. He doesn't do keeping up appearances, he sorts the whole mess out. That's what the next question in the catechism is all about.

Q26. What else does Christ's death redeem?

A. Christ's death is the beginning of the redemption and renewal of every part of fallen creation, as he powerfully directs all things for his own glory and creation's good.

Here are few points to think about:

• Salvation is a whole lot bigger than you think.

One of the wonders of salvation is that it is deeply personal. It's about me and God. Sin fractured our relationship. That is no longer the case because of Jesus death and resurrection.

But that is not all Jesus death achieved. It is a whole lot bigger than you think. Salvation stretches to everywhere the fall reaches. Everything that has been spoiled by sin shall be made new.

Think about it - there is so much to marvel at in creation. Things which make us stand back in awe and wonder. But creation is disordered. It is broken. Now imagine how great it will be when all that is spoiled is made new. When all the chaos is brought back into order. How much more glorious shall it be?

It will happen. All because of Jesus life, death and resurrection.

• It's only a beginning

Jesus death did change everything. But it is only a beginning. We are still waiting for the full redemption and renewal of all things. It will happen. That is sure. It is certain. Because Jesus didn't just give us a fresh start, he will see his work through to completion.

Until he comes again, we wait and we work. We long for the final renewal of all things. And we seek to care for the creation now. It might be made entirely new one day, but that doesn't mean we burn it up now. No, we care for creation- after all God cared so much for it, he sent his son not just for us, but to redeem all things.

He is sorting the entire mess out.