THE PURPOSE OF MAN

GENESIS 1:24–2:3

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them

(Genesis 1:27).

The chapter and verse divisions we find in our Bibles were not put there by God but by men. One of the worst errors in chapter divisions is found immediately in Genesis, where the seventh day of creation is put at the beginning of chapter 2 instead of at the end of chapter 1. The result is that we tend to think that the climax of creation was the creation of man. In fact, though, the climax of creation was the enthronement of God in His rest.

Man’s purpose is to glorify God. Man is made in the image of God. This does not mean that we merely resemble some physical god who lives out in space, as the Mormons believe. It means most importantly that human beings have a unique ability to glorify God as self-conscious agents. Man is the captain of creation, and thus his job is to work with the world, organizing it and transforming it for God’s glory. Man is to develop everything into a beautiful present for God. When we pursue this kind of work, we find our greatest joy and fulfillment.

Because of sin, the image of God in man is warped, not eliminated; it is shattered and broken, not destroyed. We still work with the world, but now our sinful goal is to make our estrangement from God visible and manifest by building a world without God. The Gospel puts us back on the right track.

As human beings work with the world to God’s glory, this project has the effect of transforming us as well. We move from glory to glory as we become more and more involved with God and make the world more and more beautiful. We are indirectly changed as we work with God’s creation. But when we see Him face to face, we will be radically glorified.

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai after speaking with God, his face shone forth so radiantly that the people were afraid of him. They were astounded by the glory that shone from a man who had been with God, for it was God’s own glory reflected through a man. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). Since none of us are pure in heart, none of us has ever seen God face-to-face. But when our persons have been perfected in heaven, we will see Him face-to-face and will be glorified.

CORAM DEO

Luke 3–5

The Latin phrase coram Deo means “before God’s face.” As we expose ourselves to God in His word and in prayer, we are transformed. Today ask God to show you some of the impurities in your own heart, and ask Him to begin working them out and refining you, so that you may fellowship with Him more freely.

For further study: Psalm 17:13–15 • 1 John 3:1–3 • Rev. 22:1–5

thursday

october