Above the Mountains

J. Greshem Mechen, a Presbyterian theologian and founder of Westminster theological Seminary, was an avid mountain climber. His love for majestic peaks and beautiful vistas included hiking the peaks of Maine mountains.

In a 1934 article for Christianity Today, he wrote: “There is far above any earthly mountain peak of vision a God high and lifted up who, though he is infintely exalted, yet cares for his children among men.”

Accepting that exulted view of God as one who cares about creation and its creatures should bring us to the conclusion that we live within His sovereignty and providence. Viewed only from the standpoint of God’s holy nature and perfection that is scary because we stand as broken and undeserving to be in His presence. Yet, He views wayward, struggling creation with such amazing grace, passionate love, and divine patience that His ultimate goal is restoring our distortions and disorder with meaning and truth, bringing righteousness and justice, renewing our material world, ending all evil and suffering, and bring us into His kingdom.

His “care for his children among men” was fully expressed in the humble, sacrificial life of Christ. The Apostle John told his readers: “This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” (1 John 4:10) Because of that sacrifice, we can set out upon the path to full restoration by our faith (2Corinthians 5:18).

Christ is the reason for our confidence that the day when all wrongs will be “righted” is coming.