Welcome to Day 6!
Today we focus on understanding who God says we are and the nature of His design within us. There is a phrase I have heard from a few churches that carries deep truth: "Created on purpose, for a purpose." I love that phrase because of the amount of truth this little saying carries. I cannot express how important it is to understand that you were never a mistake. God knows you and God loves you. Since this is true, let's explore what Scripture has to say about it.
He knows the number of hairs on your head…
"Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
You were created on purpose, and God has always known about you…
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
The Lord gives life to our true purpose, to those who know Him…
"I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me."
He cares about your worries and burdens, and does not want you to carry the brokenness of this world…
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Jesus says His burden is light; what heavy burdens are you still carrying that He never asked you to carry?
Creation Of Mankind
God created us, and we know this because of Genesis 1 & 2. These chapters describe the creation of the world and give us the understanding that God created the world and all things in it (Colossians 1:16). In addition, we can recognize that He has made us in His own image (Genesis 1:27). You and I were made to bring glory to God through perfect union and relationship with Him. The whole reality before sin entered the world is that we would experience the full expression of God in perfect union. So what does it mean to be created in the image of God and to be human?
Created In His Image
There is an interesting phrase that encompasses who we are as humans, derived from the Latin phrase "Imago Dei," which means "image of God." This concept sheds light on us as humans; we are God's image bearers. Since we are made in His image, God has clearly defined who we are as His children. Although we are not equal to God, He has made us with similar capacities and abilities that He possesses and wants us to have.
If God created you on purpose, for a purpose, how does that shape the way you see yourself?
Body, Spirit, and Soul.
Scripture describes three distinct aspects of human design working together as one whole person.
Physical Body
The Bible teaches that humans have a physical body formed from the dust of the ground. The body represents physical existence and connects humans to other living creatures and the material world.
"Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."
Spirit
God breathed the breath of life into the physical body, giving humans a spirit, a life force. The spirit separates humans from other life forms and enables fellowship with God.
"The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it."
Soul
The soul represents the innermost part of a person, encompassing emotions, intellect, personality, and will. Think of the soul as the center where decisions are made.
"Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'"
"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
In summary, according to the Bible, humans are composed of a physical body formed from the dust, infused with spirit from God, possessing a soul that represents the inner being, made in the image of God, and having the capacity for spiritual connection with Him.
Stewardship
One of the characteristics God has given us is authority, or dominion, over the earth (Genesis 1:26; Psalm 8:6). You and I have been entrusted with great power and privilege on this earth to steward it. Unfortunately, because of our sinful nature, we all know that there has been great abuse of that privilege over time in many ways. He has given over ownership and authority to us to manage everything from plants and animals to human life.
Genesis 1 says multiple times that what God created was "good." All created things are important in God's eyes, especially human life. No matter the stage of life, from conception through old age, every soul matters to God because He created us all. Through Scripture we see different roles for men and women, but we are equal in God's eyes. In the same way, there are many ethnicities, but no race is superior; we are all equal (Romans 2:11; Proverbs 22:2; Acts 10:34-35; Genesis 1:27-28).
Since every person is made in the image of God, what does that say about the value of every human life, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or background?
Creativity
Next, we also have the ability to create, and we can see this truth by simply looking at how man is driven and motivated to build. Through the resources provided by God, we are given the opportunity to create, which reveals His nature within us. We greatly desire to build amazing buildings and structures, music and art, businesses, transportation, technology, and so much more. We have even been given the power of creation through procreation, to create life (Genesis 1:28)! These are some of the amazing gifts and blessings that God has given to mankind.
The most important aspect for humans is how we are going to manage this great privilege and trust that God has given us. As Christians, we must allow the Bible and the Spirit of God to shape our identity in how we steward, create, and live our lives (Romans 12:1-3). We are a new creation in Jesus Christ, and we have a new life now, which is why the gospel is such great news for those who have Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Sexuality
When sin entered the world, sexual identities and many other aspects of human sexuality were distorted. We see that God said it is not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18), so He created Eve. This exclusive union between man and woman was formed, but it was broken through the fall of man. We read various passages of sexual perversion addressed throughout the Bible (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-28). Even in a natural sense, two males cannot have babies, nor can two females have babies without the help of a doctor. Men only have "seed," and women only have "eggs." Even when doctors help to create babies, we still cannot ultimately deny God's design and His hand in creation.
Please understand that the goal of this short section is not to tell people that God does not love them because of struggles with their sexual identity, but to allow Scripture and the Spirit of God to inform us of who we are. Scripture clearly states two genders, male and female, and sin has twisted that truth toward unnatural relationships. We can see in Genesis 1:27 that God made both male and female, only, with no other variations. This has become a big battle over the last several years, but please understand the Bible is very clear on these matters. This will never be a popular view within the world around us, but it is the truth, and it is important to know where Scripture stands.
Since sin has affected human sexuality, what does Scripture teach about God's original design for gender and intimate relationships (marriage)?
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.