To begin with I wonder on line if there are many folks who are otherwise bright people who never come to grips with the difference between the Creator and what he has created? Even a casual reading of the book of Genesis speaks simply and clearly to the point of origins: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1). In that comprehensive phrase the answer to the question:"Where did all that we know come from?" is answered. There is a problem, however, that causes even the obvious to be denied, and that is the idea of accountability. (More on that later).
Looking at creation one can observe the various species and kinds, states of existance, environments and similar dissimilarities and come to the conclusion that of all that we can know there is one outstanding creature of all creation and that is mankind.
This drawing of man is called The Vetruvian depiction of man. It's purpose was to show a symmetry and balance between architectual details and the human body.
It is probably the most reproduced sketch of the human body among art.
When we ask the question "which is the foremost visible creature?, this piece of famous art comes to mind.
The emphasis in this sketch is on the human form and the relationships to distances, geometry, and architecture that one may observe.
The consideration of man's preeminent position among all creatures, visible and invisible becomes clear when we add the other two dimensions of mental and spiritual qualities. In the Bible we are told how God Himself especially formed his body, gave him a rational mind and breathed into him the breath of life and man became a living spiritual being. Gen 2: 7 the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Gen. 1:25-27 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, {26 Hebrew; Syriac <all the wild animals>} and over all the creatures that move along the ground." 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
There is another question raised by those just mentioned: "What was the image of God?" The answer is twofold; A. That man knew God and was perfectly happy in such knowledge,Col. 3:10 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 2. That man was perfectly holy and blessed. Eph. 4: 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
The Bible talks about changes. The most important one for this discussion is the change between what God created mankind to be, and what mankind has chosen for himself to be. There is a marked difference between the two, and it is obvious from the current state of affairs in this world that the former is much better than the latter.
In fact, we have changed so much that it is hard to find in mankind the residual evidence of God's image that consisted in pure holiness and righteousness. What man calls normal is obscene, corrupt, and evil to the very core. What we struggle against is our own choices, and not what God wants us to be...the Apostle Paul put it this way: Ro 7:19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do-- this I keep on doing.
The power to change and to be the "crown of Creation" come from Jesus Christ. What is more He invites us all: Matt. 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Please accept this invitation and be what God created you to be.
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