Genesis 1:26-28 says,
"Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"
So both man and woman are made in the image of God. If my seminary education hasn't failed me, I believe the Hebrew word here for "image" is the same (or at least the same root) word used to express the term "idol." So we are like a statue that resembles a real person. We are like what God is like. We are representations of God in our inherent nature and character. And we are to rule creation with power and authority.
Except things aren't that way anymore. The introduction of sin changed things. We call it the Fall. Perhaps we call it "the Fall" because it reminds us of how a 3rd of the angels "fell from grace" and had their natures changed, now corrupted and contrary God's ways; they're demons now. When Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, the consequence was a "falling from grace," no longer allowed in the garden and now aware of both good and evil.
I intend to discuss in greater detail the nature and implications of a sinful nature when I teach on the "What Is the Problem?" For now, however, I bring up our current state because in a very important way it provides information on the state so crucial in understanding who we are. Let me elaborate.
Before the Fall, humanity was absolutely dependent on God, but that's not bad. It sounds bad but it's not. Existence did not make sense apart from the Fellowship of our Creator. God was our life-source and power; our nature of being image bearers was that we reflected God's glory as we communed with Him. We know this because Genesis says that Adam and Eve walked and talked with God (Gen 3:8-9). In fact, even after the Fall, God continued to fellowship with a few of His children. "Enoch walked with God three hundred years..." (Gen 5:22) and "Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God" (Gen 6:9).
As time progressed, and people continued to exercise their "independence" from God, humanity became more and more corrupt and lost. Sort of like how a teenager, raging with hormones and uncharted emotions is "lost," that's how humanity devolved.
It's important to comprehend where we came from and how we are now, for it is this slip into depravity that frames God's love. There is a passage that distinguishes two camps: Those who are vessels of wrath and those who are vessels of mercy. This is found in Romans 9, one of the hardest passages for people to deal with because this language is frightening and difficult to understand. Essentially, it says that God is the one who determines who will be saved. Belief in Christ is needed for sure; but belief is impossible apart from God empowering the person to have it. This is what we call election or predestination. When Christians say they believe in free will, in the vast majority of cases, they mean that God opens up salvation to everyone, and it is the person's choice which they choose. This position is not supported by Scripture, which is why Romans 9 is so difficult for many. (Please see John Piper's sermons on this passage. This issue often raises doubts on God's goodness, as it seems He is being unfair and heartless as to who is saved or not. Piper does a good job breaking things down as to make sense and elevate God to a place of honor for the way He does things, a most difficult task considering the issue at hand. They can be found here. Listen to dates 11/3/02 - 11/17/02, 12/01/02 - 12/15/02, 01/12/03, 02/02/03, etc. Just follow the next section of Scripture. They will skip a bit - not strictly sequential).
I had to bring that up because it sheds light on the reality of our situation. There are some who are vessels of wrath, where they will feel the weight of God's condemnation because of their disobedience. Then there are those who are vessels of mercy, where God will relent and spare them when they receive Christ's protection. Ephesians 5:8 says it this way: "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." That is explains God's love in the context of our states. So if the notion of being a child of disobedience frightens you, good! It should. There is hope though. His name is Jesus. Why don't you take to heart what Hebrews 7:25 says: "Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." Remember, God is the one who will make this possible. Don't wait for Him, however. That's where you responsibility comes in. Draw near to God! You will actually be able to if He wills it. And if you actually believe what I've said here in this post and are concerned for your salvation, that's a good sign too. Just do your part. Seek and you will find. Ask and it will be given to you.
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