Bliss & Fire Network Weekly Digest - Success Scripture June 16, 2009

In The Image of God

"And God formed out man out of the dust of the ground and man breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and become a living soul" - Genesis 2:7

"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day" - 2 Corinthians 4:16.

EXPLORATION

A Created Being. MAN is the word used to describe the generality of human beings-male or female whether adults, children or infants. A human being is one that's not totally a spirit like God or such that lives only by instincts like animals. He has the ability to feel, communicate his thoughts and invent (create) things.

From our study of the origin of life, we saw that man, like every other thing apart from God, was created by God Almighty. Man did not evolve from a non-living matter neither is he the handiwork of any false god represented by idols of graven images. The bible tells us that man is the offspring of God. (Acts 17:28) The Bible says: "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." - Genesis 1:27. "Have we not all one Father? Hath not one God created us?" - Malachai 2:10.

The Image of God. The Bible says that man has been made in the image of God. Considering the self-revelation of God, He showed himself as having the character of being Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Pre-existent (Having external past), immutable and holy. No being can possess the infinite attributes of God only that of his holiness and righteousness. In describing the redeemed nature of man, Paul said it was that which after God was created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

His Tripartite Nature: (Body, Soul, Spirit)

SPIRIT: The Hebrew word for spirit is N@shamah and the Greek is pneuma. Whenever this appears in scripture, it is rendered as breath or wind. But to a large extent the word is used to denote any spirit being or the immortal aspect of man.

SOUL: The Hebrew equivalent is Nephesh and the Greek is Psuche. The word is used in scripture to represent anything that breathes whether man or animal. More importantly, it is used to represent the immaterial and immortal part of man.

INSPIRATION

Following 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Corinthians 7:34. And other Bible passages, man can be said to be constituted of three (3) aspects - the soul, body and spirit and each having its own function.

THE SOUL: The soul is the decision centre of man, the aspect that determines his desires and emotions.

THE SPIRIT: That by which man manifest his ability. That is why we talk of liking the spirit with which a person does something. It is the animating force in man.

THE BODY: The visible and tangible physical part of man and also the vehicle by which the soul and spirit manifest themselves to the world outside.

It is written: "Though our outward perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day" - 2 Corinthians 4:16. The Inward man is represented by the Soul and Spirit. These two words are used interchangeably.  That is, where the word spirit is needed, soul could be used and vice versa. For the this lesson we shall be using the expressions "Out Ward Man" and "Inward Man", "And God formed out man out of the dust of the ground and man breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and become a living soul" -Genesis 2:7. We can see that man is made from two sources- The outward man from the dust of the ground and the Inward man from the breath of God.

The Outward Man

1. The outward man was made out of the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7). So man is given physical food that grows from the earth to sustain him (Genesis 1:29). Chemicals found in the human body are the same that are found in the earth- carbon, sodium, iron, calcium etc.
2. The outward man can do physical work (Genesis 2:15).
3. The outward man has been given the power to reproduce physically through God-ordained institution of marriage. (Genesis 1:27-28, Genesis 2:21-25).
4. The outward man is mortal. (2 Corinthians 4:16, Romans 6:12, Romans 8:11)
5. Shall be made immortal after the first resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:53, Luke 20:35-36)

The Inward Man

1. The inward man is - the soul & spirit of man and they are made by God. (Genesis 2:7, Isaiah 57:16, Zechariah 12:1, Job 32:8, Numbers 16:22)
2. Man can kill or destroy the body (outward man) but not the inward man (the soul & spirit). )Matthew 10:28)
3. The inward man can be fed only by the word of God which is spirit- (John 8:63, 1 Peter 2:1-2, Matthew 4:4)
4. The inward man (soul & spirit) can exist while separated from the body- "absent from the body" but "present with the lord" with a consciousness enough to speak, feel, see, move and express his desires. (2 Corinthians 5:8): Remember Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) also read (Revelation 6:9-10, 20:4)
5. Natural death is the separation of the outward man from the inward man. (Acts 7:59) - (Remember the thief on the cross), (Ecclesiastes 12:7).
6. The inward man is eternal, immortal, He has endless life. - "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." - 2 Corinthians 5:1
7. It is the inward man (spirit & soul) that gives a human being his personality. (Genesis 2:15). Because it animates and controls the outward man.
8. Man shall judge angels - (1 Corinthians 6:3).

From this analysis of the human nature, it is certain that man has the free-will to decide a thing and also the ability to carry it out. So, man always has the choice of what to do at anytime: Whatever it is good or evil, the choice is totally his. So the decision to obey God and go to heaven or to disobey God and go to hell totally rest with man.

This week: We can understand from this analysis of the human nature, it is certain that man has the free-will to decide a thing and also the ability to carry it out. So, man always has the choice of what to do at anytime: Whatever it is good or evil, the choice is totally his. So the decision to obey God and go to heaven or to disobey God and go to hell totally rest with man.

The question is what are you doing with your free-will, what are you doing with your body, soul and your spirit is it used after the manner of God's image or have you allowed your spirit to be in bondage to the things of this world? Whatever the case may be you can make a different today and live the WILL and PURPOSE of God for your life. God has called you blessed and you will manifest HIS blessings in every area of your life as you obey HIM.

Remember: The Bible says: "Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?" - Malachi 2:10

We love you! 

God bless.

Bliss & Fire Network Team

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