Humans *What are Humans? Humans are God's finest creation. In Genesis 1:26 God says "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness ..." where God is three persons (God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit) [refer to "God"]. Most Christians interpret this verse as referring to either (a) the three persons of God rather than what God actually looks like, (b) God's attribute of being able to freely choose, (c) God's attribute of being good and without sin, or (d) the human soul that looks like God's image. In any case, or if you favor a combination of the four, all of us humans are represented by an aspect of God that no other creature is given. (a) Each person is made up of 3 independent parts (spirit, soul and body) which work independent of each other yet are always in full unity. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (from New International Version) (b) Each person is given the full opportunity to freely make choices as illustrated in Proverbs 1:29 "Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD". [refer to "Predestination"]. (c) Each person is born good and without sin. We are also born with the "sin nature" or the essential desire to rebel [refer to "Sin Nature"]. Only after we grow in knowledge do we stray away from God. (d) The attributes of the human soul is a representation of the "image of God". --- Commentary by John MacArthur "Our image" this defined man's unique relation to God, Man is a living being capable of embodying God's communicable attributes. In his rational life, he was like God in that he could reason and had intellect, will, and emotion. In the moral sense, he was like God because he was good and sinless. (from The MacArthur Study Bible, Copyright (c) 1997, Word Publishing) Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 1:26 But it is the soul, the great soul, of man, that does especially bear God's image. The soul is a spirit, an intelligent immortal spirit, an influencing active spirit, herein resembling God, the Father of Spirits, and the soul of the world. The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord. The soul of man, considered in its three noble faculties, understanding, will, and active power, is perhaps the brightest clearest looking-glass in nature, wherein to see God. (from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.) --- *Human Attributes that no other creature has: 1. Potential of intellect. 2. Able to acknowledge and communicate with God. 3. Ability to differentiate between good and evil. 4. Power over all other creatures due to our God given dominion over them. 5. Ability to communicate in a diversity of languages. 6. Ability to be "Born Again" Christians. 7. The ability to create, provide and enjoy music. *The role of Humans on Earth: Humans are the only creatures that have a dual nature, both fleshly and spiritual. On the one hand we are like God, yet on the other we are like the animals. Spiritually we have a soul that experiences eternal life, and communion with other spiritual beings (i.e. God, angels and demons). While fleshly we experience joy, pain, sickness, frustration and death. Unlike the animals, though, we have a mind that far exceeds any other creature on this planet. --- The Doctrine of Man "Comparing man with the lower animals, he is far above them in intelligence, dominion and power - his capacity far beyond them, either for good or for evil. While the lower animals are governed through instinct, man is blessed with reasoning powers which give him an immense larger sphere." (from Doctrines of the Bible, Copyright (c) 1928 by Mennonite Publishing House) --- God put us humans on this planet for a reason. Each human is fulfilling or has fulfilled their purpose. As a "Born again" Christian, we have found, in God's Word, that the primary purpose is to freely choose or reject God. All other purposes or reasons for our existence are secondary. *Prior to Adam and Eve sinning: In Genesis 1:28 "God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." (from New International Version) we are told to "fill the earth and subdue it". *The role of Humans in Eternity: 1. Either (a) enjoy eternity with God or (b) eternity without God. a. Eternity with God: Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (from New International Version) [refer to "Heaven"] b. Eternity away from God: Revelation 20:14-15 "Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." (from New International Version) [refer to "Hell"] 2. Angels in Heaven rejoicing: Luke 15:10 "... I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (from New International Version) [refer to "Salvation"] 3. Not married: Mark 12:25 "When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven." (from New International Version) 4. In heaven the Apostle Paul talks about our new "spiritual body" 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body." (from New International Version) 5. Judge over the world: 1 Corinthians 6:2 "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? ..." (from New International Version) 6. Judge over the angels: 1 Corinthians 6:3 "Do you not know that we will judge angels?" (from New International Version) [refer to "Angels"] 7. God will answer all possible questions. 1 Corinthians 13:12 "... Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." (from New International Version) *God's relationship with humans: God loves all of us humans as we find in Matthew 10:30 "And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered." We also find in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (from New International Version) As "Born again" Christians we are acknowledged by God as being a part of His personal family 1 John 3:1 "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." (from New International Version) Originally, Adam and Eve openly communed with God in the Garden of Eden [refer to "Original Sin"]. But, through their rebellion, our communion with God is not as open as before. Our communication with God today is through prayer. His communication to us is through His Word (the Holy Bible), circumstances that may occur or may not occur (opened or closed doors), through love (God is Love - 1 John 4:8 "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.") and through messengers (usually angels). *Mentally Imbalanced humans: If the primary purpose for all of us humans is to decide whether to accept or reject God, then what about those humans that are mentally unable to even comprehend Him or know good and evil? The real question becomes: Why is God so diverse that He provides extremes? The answer is that diversity demonstrates authority and creativity. It also gives us a better picture of who God is. For example, what would our world be like if we all looked alike, were made alike, and had all the same interests? In reality, though, we are all different with different interests and aspirations. As for all of those that are mentally imbalanced, they are only accountable for what they can comprehend. In essence, if they cannot comprehend the existence of God, then they will not be able to rebel against Him [refer to "Sin"]. *Why God creates those that are less than normal: As stated above, God is a diverse God showing us all aspects of His creative ability. This diversity also demonstrates His authority in that He is not at all deterred from allowing the less fortunate to be born or exist. *Human ideas are far below God's ideas or God's truth: Because we live in this world, us humans have developed a mind-set that may question some of God's actions or in-actions. God has a purpose for absolutely everything and the reasoning behind what He does may only be realized when we are in His presence. *Bible References: Genesis 1:26 "Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." (from New International Version) Genesis 1:28 "God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." (from New International Version) Genesis 2:7 "the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." (from New International Version) Genesis 2:22 "Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man." (from New International Version) Psalm 139:14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (from New International Version) Psalm 139:16 "your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." (from New International Version) Proverbs 1:28-29 "Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. 29 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD," (from New International Version) Matthew 4:4 "Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (from New International Version) Matthew 10:30 "And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered." (from New International Version) Matthew 22:30 "At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven." (from New International Version) Matthew 22:37 "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'" (from New International Version) Mark 8:36 "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" (from New International Version) Mark 12:25 "When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven." (from New International Version) Luke 12:7 "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." (from New International Version) Luke 15:10 "... I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (from New International Version) John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (from New International Version) Romans 8:6 "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;" (from New International Version) 1 Corinthians 6:2 "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? ..." (from New International Version) 1 Corinthians 6:3 "Do you not know that we will judge angels?" (from New International Version) 1 Corinthians 13:12 "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." (from New International Version) 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body." (from New International Version) Ephesians 4:22-24 "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (from New International Version) Hebrews 2:5-8 "It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But there is a place where someone has testified: "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 7 You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor 8 and put everything under his feet." (from New International Version) 1 John 3:1 "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." (from New International Version) *Non-Biblical References: Scientists and social experts want us to believe that the human race is just the top of the evolutionary development. Our existence is by chance with no external influence (God or extraterrestrial). Our destiny is only what we make of it with the material and circumstances that happen to exist at the time of our existence. The only morals that we are encouraged to follow are those that don't hurt others and that propagate the human race. *Overview: Unlike the angels, humans are actually God's better creation. God knows everything about us, even the hairs on our head. God loves us so much that He gave us a part of Himself (Jesus) to take the place for our rebellion against Him. Or, in other words, to provide a way to spend eternity with God rather than away from God in damnation. God created us far above any other creatures on the planet. God created us with a soul that will never die. God has put us on this earth giving us the freedom to choose either for Him or against Him. *Additional Links: blank