Christ's Presence in His Creation
Luther. John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. He is not a Master who, like a carpenter or builder, when he has prepared a house or ship, leaves the house for its owner to dwell in, or commits the ship to the mariners that they may traverse the sea in it, and he himself goes whither he may. No; God the Father has begun. and finished all things by His Word, and preserves it also continually by the same, and remains with His work until He wills that it shall no longer exist (John 5:13). As we were made by Him without our assistance, so also we cannot be preserved of ourselves. Thus here, were all to understand that all things created are preserved, in being otherwise they would not long remain created. (Luther.) Parallel Verses KJV: All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. WEB: All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made.