Image is representative
Read Genesis Chapter 2
Humanity has a unique origin and status: Adam is created in a distinct way, formed from the dust and given the breath of life by God. This is a profound and unique event, and it fires the imagination just to think about it. Even today, we have life because we breathe, and we breathe at Gods will and pleasure. Remember Job 27:3.
God gave life to all creatures but only into man did He breathe life. How fantastic! This event was later replicated by Jesus when He breathed the Holy Spirit over His disciples. (John 20:22)
This event emphasizes humanity's special place in creation humans are a privileged lot but, as we all know from experience, along with privilege comes responsibility.
Just as we humans are unique, we have a unique multidimensional responsibility - vertical and horizontal.
Vertically Upwards - Responsibility towards God
Why did God make Adam? The key reason is to glorify God as God's crowning creation! Isiaah 43:7 clearly states this. Therefore, we need to live as an extension of God, His representative on earth, glorifying Him at all times.
Secondly To Participate in God's Kingdom: Throughout Scripture, there's a progressive revelation of God's plan for His kingdom. Humanity is invited to participate in this kingdom, living according to God's will and purposes, and ultimately experiencing the fullness of His reign.
From walking with Adam and Eve in the Garden to sending His Son, Jesus, to reconcile us, God actively seeks a loving relationship with His creation.
Vertically downwards
In Genesis we read that God handed over His world for us to look after. Let us not take this lightly. In the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 14-30 Jesus highlights how important it is for us to look after the "property" of God (our master) and replenish it and build on it. But our Selfishness and greed do not replenish, they destroy. Therefore, responsible and unselfish stewardship is a very important responsibility we have, as stated in Genesis 1:28. This is not only to God but also to our earthly employers. The fact God made us in His image and placed us above all creation isn't a license for exploitation of His blessings but a responsibility to manage them wisely and justly, reflecting God's own love for His creation.
Horizontal
We are all created in Gods image and therefore reflect His qualities. One such quality is Gods relational nature - Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. God loves to build relationships with us, as He had with Adam and Eve, and He expects us to do the same with people around us. We need to live, as a family, as a community, in complete peace among ourselves.
This is one of the core messages of the commandments as well.
Finally, He gave us free choice - the choice to live responsibly according to His will and design or live irresponsibly according to ours. This fact alone should convince us of the power of His love for us and His confidence and trust. Do we repay that love, confidence and trust with betrayal, as did Adam, Eve, Judas and scores of others including you and me? In Paradise Lost John Milton refers to our "mortal tast". The choice we have is - do we give in to our mortal tast or do we choose to trust and obey God?
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