Genesis 1:26-28
Have you thought much
about the singular human race lately? With all the talk about race these days
you would think there are multiple races. While there are many ethnic groups,
there is really only one race—the human race. God only created one! In Genesis
1 and 2, the focus is on how the universe and human beings came into existence
and why God created humanity in the first place. In addition Moses also explores
how people can conduct themselves and please God with their lives. In this
light, let us entertain three questions, why did God create us? How did God
make us like himself? How can we please him in everyday living?
Consider what Moses wrote
in Genesis 1:26-28,
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.[1]
In order to answer these
questions, we may begin by exploring the use of the word “Man” to refer to the
human race. Certainly it refers to the male individual, but it is also used as
a broader all-encompassing idea—humanity (Gen. 1:26).
It is appropriate to refer to the human
race in this manner because the Scriptures do so. With this precedence the
term man will represent humanity both
male and female. There is no intent to offend the female reader, but simply a
desire to be consistent with the biblical usage of the term (Genesis 5:1-2; 1:27). It should also be noted that God
did directly create man—he did NOT evolve as some have theorized.
Then let us explore the
reason mankind was created. The first thing to understand is that God did not
need to create man. God was fulfilled relationally within the fellowship of the
Trinity. This was true of God from all eternity (John
17:5, 24). God was and always has been free of any need or unmet desire.
Still it is equally true that God created mankind for His glory. This truth is
mention several times over in Scripture and communicated in several ways (Isa. 43:7; Eph. 1:11-12; 1Cor. 10:31). This reality guarantees and gives
significance to every human life regardless of ethnicity. All human beings
share this all essential purpose and meaning for life. It directly indicates
that we are important to God himself; this is the most significant purpose for
human life. Again glorifying God is the purpose of human life and by extension
the varied ethnic diversity that we have. This truth is rehearsed in a number
of the Psalms where the pleasure of man is found in the fellowship and presence
of the Lord (Ps. 16:11; 27:4; 73:25, 26; 84:1, 2, 10).
When believers realize and explore the purpose of God for their very existence,
they will experience an intensity of joy. Giving glory to God is the most right
thing any human being can engage in doing. He is worthy of all glory (Rev. 4:11). When people seize glory for themselves it
must clearly be considered wrong because people are not worthy of this honor. However,
it is entirely right for God to seek his own glory. He is the only one that is
worthy. Each person should invest their
entire strength to render glory to him (Mark 12:30).
Not only should we
understand how the term “man” is used in Scripture and why man was created, but
we can also understand what it means to bear the image of God. The image of God
(Gen. 1:26) can be defined as the fact that “man
is like God and represents God” (Grudem, 1994, p. 442). Walvoord and Zuck of
Dallas Theological Seminary, observed in The Bible Knowledge Commentary,
Human life was created in (lit., “as,” meaning “in essence as”) the image of God (v. 27). This image was imparted only to humans (2:7). “Image” (á¹£elem) is used figuratively here, for God does not have a human form. Being in God’s image means that humans share, though imperfectly and finitely, in God’s nature, that is, in His communicable attributes (life, personality, truth, wisdom, love, holiness, justice), and so have the capacity for spiritual fellowship with Him.
God’s purpose in creating
human life in His image was functional: man is to rule or have dominion (Gen. 1:26, 28). God’s dominion was presented by a
“representative.” Egyptian kings later, in idolatry, did a similar kind of
thing: they represented their rule or dominion by making representative statues
of themselves. However, because of sin all things are not under man’s dominion
(Heb. 2:8). But Jesus Christ will establish dominion over all the earth (Heb. 2:5-8) at His second coming.
So the image of God involves
humanity’s, intellect, emotions, volition, and morality. In the fall of man,
the image of God was marred and distorted, but not lost. Even though man is
sinful, governed by selfishness, and does not constantly glorify God, he still
bears something of God’s image. Salvation is redemption in Jesus Christ is
actually an effort to progressively recover God’s image in each believer. This
is taught in Colossians 3:10, which says, we are “renewed in knowledge after
the image of him that created him.” Then 2Corintians 3:18, says, “with open
face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same
image from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord.” And Romans 8:29,
spells out clearly what the goal of redemption is, “to be conformed to the
image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brethren.” In fact
at Christ’s return, the image of God in the believer will be completely
restored “we shall also bear the image of the heavenly” (1Cor. 15:49). In the Lord Jesus we see human likeness
to God as it was originally was intended to be (Col.
1:15; Rom. 8:29; 1Jn. 3:2).
Finally, regarding race
and ethnicity, such distinctions should not be over emphasized or underscored.
The idea of multiple races is actually rooted in human pride as one ethnic
group seeks glory for its members. All the chatter these days about racial
distinctions ignore the fundamental fact that God created only one singular
race, the human race, with great ethnic diversity. We all descended from Adam
and even more specifically, from Noah. Beloved, God created for His glory and
not ours nor for any ethnic group. It would be great if we all stop spouting
off ill-informed statements like “Black Pride,” and “White Supremacy.” What would
be even better is to stop weaponizing race during election cycles to manipulate
people to vote a certain way. The unfortunate reality is politicians gain power
or remain in power by such abuses; if racial problems cease to be an issue then
the race baiters and profiteers will lose their income source and purpose. So,
they continue to promote hate, pride, resentment, jealousy, division, and
conflict to ensure their relevance for years to come. These people clearly are
not interested in real solutions! They view people as victims who need them to
rescue them from society at large. These intellectual elites do not care about
your needs nor your pain; you are an object to be exploited to their personal
advantage. This may be hard for some to read without being frustrated. I have
no desire to frustrate you; and yes, sometimes the truth is very
uncomfortable. I personally have chosen to live for God’s glory as a
member of the human race; my first devotion is to Him and not the ethnic group
I belong to. Though that may seem a little strange to some folks, a Christian
seeks first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. This is where my deepest
loyalties lie...with an eternal people, an eternal kingdom, and a forever King.
I invite you to join me in this righteous purpose which has eternal
significance.
[1] The Holy Bible:
King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900
Authorized Version., Ge 1:26–28). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Have you thought much about the singular human race lately? With all the talk about race these days you would think there are multiple races. While there are many ethnic groups, there is really only one race. God only created one! In Genesis 1 and 2, the focus is on how the universe and human beings came into existence and why God created humanity in the first place.
ReplyDeletehttps://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2020/09/god-created-human-race.html
#Creation #Creator #Purpose #Race #Ethnicity #Humanity #Division #MaxEvangel
Have you thought much about the singular human race lately? With all the talk about race these days you would think there are multiple races. While there are many ethnic groups, there is really only one race. God only created one! In Genesis 1 and 2, the focus is on how the universe and human beings came into existence and why God created humanity in the first place.
ReplyDeletehttps://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2020/09/god-created-human-race.html
#Creation #Creator #Purpose #Race #Ethnicity #Humanity #Division #MaxEvangel
Regarding race and ethnicity, such distinctions should not be over emphasized or underscored. The idea of multiple races is actually rooted in human pride as one ethnic group seeks glory for its members. All the chatter these days about racial distinctions ignore the fundamental fact that God created only one singular race, the human race, with great ethnic diversity. We all descended from Adam and even more specifically, from Noah. Beloved, God created for His glory and not ours nor for any ethnic group.
ReplyDeletehttps://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2020/09/god-created-human-race.html
#Creation #Creator #Purpose #Race #Ethnicity #Humanity #Division #MaxEvangel