A Methodist Way of Life

A Methodist Way of Life asks, “How are you caring for God’s creation?” Perhaps we should address the why first!

Why should Christians care about the creation?

1. We should care for creation because Christianity is a comprehensive worldview.
2. We should care for creation because we live in it.
3. We should care for creation because it reveals God’s character.
4. We should care for creation because doing so validates and displays the gospel.

As Christians we believe we understand something unique about our world since we know its Creator so intimately. Specifically:

• Jesus is creator and Lord over the earth, and we cannot separate our relationship to Christ from how we act in relation to what he has made.

• Jesus is reconciling all things to himself including all of creation, thereby signalling creation’s eternal importance.

• Jesus commands us to care for the poor and oppressed, the ‘least of these’ (Matthew 25).

• The ‘least of these’ often depend most heavily on creation’s healthy functioning. Anyone concerned with the ‘least of these’ must pay special attention to care of creation. People whose actions knowingly or inadvertently harm the ‘least of these’ risk the wrath of the Creator and Judge of all things.

• Caring for creation is a relational act, intimately connected to our relationship with Christ, our relationships with others and our responsibilities in the shared ministry of reconciling all things to Christ.

• Caring for creation is an act of the mind and will; however, as with all things, the leading and filling of God’s Spirit is required for true long-term success from a biblical perspective. In Jesus’ life, ministry and teaching we see a unique perspective on creation. Not only does the Bible say Jesus is creator and Lord, but also that it is Jesus who is reconciling ALL things to himself, including creation. Jesus’ teaching about the ‘least of these’ is especially poignant for anyone working with the poor, as the poor are often most dependent on the healthy functioning of creation. Jesus instructs that we need the indwelling of the Spirit to accomplish the good works he’s prepared for us in creation.

Perhaps we need to prayerfully ponder again, How are you caring for God’s creation?

We thank you, creator God,

for the goodly heritage you offer us,

from green downland

to the deep salt seas,

and for the abundant world

we share with your creation.

Keep us so mindful of its needs

and those of all with whom we share,

that open to your Spirit

we may discern and practice

all that makes for its wellbeing,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen