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NASB | Genesis 5:3 ¶ When Adam had lived one hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 5:3 ¶ When Adam had lived a hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth. |
Bible Question:
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? |
Bible Answer: 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 |