Who were we (both men and women) created to be?

"Let Us make man in our own image, after Our likeness" (Gen. 1:26). Both man and woman (this verse applies to both) were made in the likeness of God. Body, soul, and spirit (a trinity if you will), we are self-aware, we can think, reason. While these things are true, that is about where our "characteristics" that are similar to God's end. But to be made in His image, oh that goes so much deeper! We are His image-bearers. We are to represent God to this earth. When you look into a mirror, it is your image-bearer. It is NOT you, but if it is clean and flat, and optically perfect, the world could look at that mirror and see you exactly as it should. That is what we were made to do. Be God's image-bearer. But if that mirror is crooked (which we have been ever since Adam sinned) and tarnished and filthy (which we have done with our sin), that image looks absolutely nothing like us. Take a funhouse mirror, coat it with clear fingernail polish or hairspray, cover it with mud and dung and maggots, then carry it around and only let people see the mirror, not you. How would you look?
We are that mirror. Everything we do that is not in perfect accord with Him gives the entire world a blasphemous view of God. Every time we gossip, swear, look with lust, hate, complain, etc, we are telling the world that God is a gossip, swearer, adulterer, murderer, complainer...What an awesome responsibility we have, and terrible our sin when we don't fulfill that responsibility!

"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth" (Gen. 1:28). This verse is for all the abortionists and evolutionists and tree huggers and animal rights folks. In addressing abortioninst/feminists/Christians who try to play God with how many children they should have so they can pursue their careers and selfish desires without kids "getting in the way" (uh oh...I am gonna get in big trouble for that one!), read this: "And God BLESSED them and said be FRUITFUL." Children are a BLESSING FROM GOD, not unfortunate consequences of sex to be aborted or "put up with" while we try to remain independent and do as we please. Now let me be clear before people fall off their rockers and I get called judgmental: Am I saying you are in sin if you use birth control or aren't having kids every nine months during your 30-40 child-bearing years or trying to be wise about such things? No. But maybe. Seek the scriptures and be convinced in your own mind. If you search God and His word and determine that you can in all faith and good conscience use birth control (whatever prophylactic means you choose...obviously abortifacient forms are murder), then go ahead (Rom. 14). My feelings are that it is the ATTITUDE behind birth control (in most cases) that is sinful. Will I and my future wife (if God so chooses to bless me with one) use birth control? I don't know. How many kids will we desire or have? I don't know. But we must have a right mind about these things. Determine your own convictions on this issue. Don't take my word for it any more than the culture that has so greatly influenced us. But we MUST see children the way God sees them: as a blessing not a curse!

And now for the environmentalists/animal rights folks: "And God BLESSED them and said...SUBDUE and HAVE DOMINION." What an honor and responsibility God has given us! We are higher than the rest of creation and are to take headship over it! Am I advocating cruelty to animals or destroying the earth through polution, etc.? Well, let me answer that by asking this: What kind of leader/ruler destroys those under him? A cowardly, unjust, irresponsible failure, that's who! That one is not a leader at all, but has made himself lower than those under him by not respecting the Authority over him. God has given us this earth to replenish it and rule over it. Let us take that seriously. On the other hand, it is a grave error to put all of life on the same level, for God has not done that. God's proper order of things does not include a "Mother Earth" whom we serve and not dare upset. What a blasphemous and idolatrous idea!

Let us see things the way God sees them. I know my pursuit of manhood must start with these principles laid out in His word.

Next up: Adam--the first man.