Results 1 - 9 of 9
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Is God still creating man in His image? | Gen 5:3 | Bill Mc | 16122 | ||
Granted, man, as a species was made (past tense, at creation) in the image of God. I am not questioning that. But is God still creating man in His image everytime someone is born? The reference verse above does not say that Seth was born in the image of God. It says that Seth was born in Adam's image. I believe that, after the fall, man was no longer the exact representation of God's image. He became, through Adam's sin, a fallen creature. When Christ came, He showed us man as man was designed to be - totally dependant upon God. God was His life source. Christ said, 'I don't do or say anything unless the Father tells Me to do or say it. Why? Because My Father and I are one.' And scripture says that He (Christ) was the exact representation of God's nature. Philip said to Jesus, 'Show us the Father.' Jesus replied, 'If you've seen Me, you've seen the Father.' Now, with Christ in us, we, too, can reflect the image of God as we let Him live through us. We, as believers, are one spirit with Him. But, my question is, is man, in his fallen natural state (born dead in trespasses and sin) still being created in the image of God? On a personal note, I don't understand how the terrorist who have attacked the US could be considered 'created in the image of God.' Or someone like Adolf Hitler, who tried to exterminate the Jews, how is he the iamge of God. I see the opposite. Or someone like Bill Mc, who left to his own devices, before he was saved, could have, but for the grace of God, committed any crime I could think of. I have hated, I have lusted - in my heart I was guilty of murder and adultery. I cannot look at my life and say that it was always the image of God. People will say that we have no right to execute criminals for their crimes because man is the image of God. I think we forfeited that attribute when Adam sinned. Is God still, present tense, creating man in His image? If He is, I believe it is only at new birth - Rom 6:4, 2 Cor 5:17, Gal 6:16, Eph 2:10. What do you think? |
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2 | Is God still creating man in His image? | Gen 5:3 | charis | 16131 | ||
Dear Bill, Greetings in the name of Jesus! I believe that we all are (even now) created in the image of God. "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:24 NASB It is my belief that man is body, soul and spirit. Our spirit is created in His holy image, but not yet turned toward God because of the influence of our fallen nature, which is flesh and soul. Flesh is earthly, and totally selfish and corrupt. Our soul, including emotions and conscience, is 'undecided' or 'capricious.' This is the part of us that knows good and evil, and allows us know (be known by) the Lord and recognize His image in us, or conversely be led by our earthly body. This is where the 'confusion' that Paul speaks of takes place, even after conversion. Fortunately, the closer we cling to Jesus, the more stable our soul becomes, and our regenerated spirit reigns in our inner being. This would be the *mature* Christian, one that trusts the moving of His Spirit in our spirit. Fellow saints, this is my personal thinking. I believe it satisfies the realities that we all witness in the 'human condition,' and his quest for sanctification in Christ Jesus. There are many that believe in the 'bipartite being' of man, and that soul and spirit are one. This does not satisfy the Word as spoken in Hebrews 4:12 NASB, "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." As to criminals, they are unregenerate, and so turned toward their selfish desires that they are 'unreceptive soil.' As to the final decision of salvation or condemnation, this is in the capable hands of God. My humble brother, that we do not deserve to boast of being 'in the image of God' continues even after knowing Him. But, praise the Lord, we have a new, restored hope within us that one day that part of us will completely reign in our being, and the corrupt will be vanquished! In Christ Jesus, charis |
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3 | Dear charis, could you clarify this? | Gen 5:3 | Bill Mc | 16144 | ||
Dear Charis, Thanks for your response. I appreciate hearing other views. I do agree with you that man is tripartate - spirit, soul, and body. But your statement, 'Our spirit is created in His holy image, but not yet turned toward God because of the influence of our fallen nature, which is flesh and soul' seems to imply that everyone's spirit is holy. You have stated that this is your belief and I do respect that. But do you have any scripture to support the implication that everyone's spirit is holy? If you do indeed beleive that every person is born with their spirit created in His holy image, then why do you say later in your post that 'our regenerated spirit reigns'? What need is there for a regenerated spirit if it is created holy at our birth? And doesn't God's Word say that the things of God are spiritually discerned, not 'soulishly' discerned? Thank you for reminding us that if we boast, we are to, like Paul, boast in the Lord and what He has done. In Him, Bill Mc |
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4 | Dear charis, could you clarify this? | Gen 5:3 | charis | 16148 | ||
Dear Bill, Good point! I was thinking as I was writing, then for got to say that our spirit (small 's') is not yet holy, but carries the full potential, or hope, of holiness. When we recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit, AND begin to obey Him, then the potential is released resulting in regeneration, a work that has a beginning, and a continuation, until we meet the Lord. I'm afraid that I am not sure what you mean by the 'soulishly discerned' question. Are you referring to Hebrews 4:12 'heart?' Blessings and peace in a confused age. In Christ Jesus, charis |
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5 | Is this any clearer? Einee-Minee... | Gen 5:3 | Bill Mc | 16158 | ||
charis, thanks for the clarification. To clarify my prior question to you, you had stated, 'This is the part of us that knows good and evil, and allows us know (be known by) the Lord and recognize His image in us, or conversely be led by our earthly body.' My question was that I think that our spirits are what allows us to know God. I believe that scripture supports that many things of God are spiritually discerned. My soul (mind, will, and emotions - personality) cannot (to my utter frustration) understand the Trinity. But God has revealed it (through the Word written by, ultimately, the Holy Spirit) to be fact. It is the same way with my unregenerated spiritual death. My soul, apart from the revelation of God through His Word, would never have know that I was born spiritually dead. I would have thought, in my natural senses, sure, I'm alive. I could perceive myself and others (soul perception, soulishly alive) but I have no perception of God other than what my soul discerns from nature. I.e. I can tell from nature that God exists by I have very little information as to what He is really like. Hence the Law reflected His character in the OT (and ours) and Jesus Christ is the true, exact representation of God's nature in the NT. Well, I've probably taken this further than I initially wanted to and I have maybe confussed you (and myself). But, what I was trying to find out is this: Many co-workers are saying, "Now, Bill, you claim to be a Christian. Christians are against the death penalty (I am not against it, personally I beleive the law is made for the ungodly) and men are created in the image of God. So if you want these terrorists punished by death, than you will be killing what God created, right?" This was the point of my initial question. Are we STILL being created in the image of God? Thanks for your input and Christ-like spirit, Bill Mc |
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6 | Is this any clearer? Einee-Minee... | Gen 5:3 | Bill Mc | 16188 | ||
Sorry folks. This may have appeared as an insult when I listed 'einee...minee' in the title. It was not intended that way. I was trying to make reference to all the choices that we have (einee, minee, mynee, moe...) but, after I posted it, it looked like I was calling Charis a name. I assure you, I was not. I have the utmost respect for Charis. I'll repost the question and try to be a little more careful with the titles. In Him, Bill Mc |
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7 | Is man still created in God's image? | Gen 5:3 | Bill Mc | 16189 | ||
Dear Charis, thanks for the clarification. To clarify my prior question to you, you had stated, 'This is the part of us that knows good and evil, and allows us know (be known by) the Lord and recognize His image in us, or conversely be led by our earthly body.' My implication was that I think that our spirits are what allows us to know God. I believe that scripture supports that many things of God are spiritually discerned. My soul (mind, will, and emotions - personality) cannot (to my utter frustration) understand the Trinity. But God has revealed it (through the Word written by, ultimately, the Holy Spirit) to be fact. It is the same way with my unregenerated spiritual death. My soul, apart from the revelation of God through His Word, would never have know that I was born spiritually dead. I would have thought, in my natural senses, sure, I'm alive. I could perceive myself and others (soul perception, soulishly alive) but I have no perception of God other than what my soul discerns from nature. I.e. I can tell from nature that God exists by I have very little information as to what He is really like. Hence the Law reflected His character in the OT (and ours) and Jesus Christ is the true, exact representation of God's nature in the NT. Well, I've probably taken this further than I initially wanted to and I have maybe confussed you (and myself). But, what I was trying to find out is this: Many co-workers are saying, "Now, Bill, you claim to be a Christian. Christians are against the death penalty and men are created in the image of God. So if you want these terrorists punished by death, than you will be killing what God created, right?" This was the point of my initial question. Are we STILL being created in the image of God? Thanks for your input and Christ-like spirit, Bill Mc |
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8 | Is man still created in God's image? | Gen 5:3 | Searcher56 | 16206 | ||
Bill Mc, Are we STILL being created in the image of God? ... No, please read my previous post. "Christians are against the death penalty" ... some are, but, God laid out His laws, which included the death penalty. "Men are created in the image of God" ... Not exactly, as I have alrady pointed out "So if you want these terrorists punished by death, than you will be killing what God created, right?" ... God wiped out the world, and executed many others, including three in Acts. HOWEVER, He wants everyone to come to Him and be saved (2Pe 3:9). There still may be consequences. Steve |
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9 | Is man still created in God's image? | Gen 5:3 | Bill Mc | 16211 | ||
Thanks, Steve. Blessings to you, brother. |
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