Man: July 1, 2010

Today's Word for Thursday July 1, 2010

MAN

DEFINITION

A person, a human being.

SCRIPTURE

"What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?" Psalm 8:4

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Through the ages philosophers and historians have attempted to understand the nature of our race and the purpose of man. They have wondered why man cannot live in peace and what will man's final destination be? The Bible alone supplies all of the answers for these questions. Even David asked this question (the verse above).

When David reflected on the heavens, the moon and the stars and all that God had created, he felt very insignificant. He asked the question: why would he be of any importance to God that God would even care that he existed? God is merciful to each one of us, and to mankind as a whole, because he chooses to be. From the beginning He had a plan and a purpose for us.

Man perceives himself higher than the animals but below God because of our limited control over events and our life span. Man was created by God on the sixth day of creation and God placed him on a planet that was specifically designed for him and prepared to sustain him. Man was also given a body and a soul that made him fit for dominion over the planet He created for us. God gave man the responsibility to tend to it and to care for it.

God gave the first human couple freedom of will and commanded them not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They also were given by God the gift of spoken language. Eve was lured by Satan through his half truths and misquotation of God's Word. Both Adam and Eve chose to disobey by doing exactly what God commanded them not to do and therefore they sinned against God. Thus they brought down the future of the human race with them.

God then sent His Son as His redemptive plan for man to be saved from his sins. To those that believe, God gave His biblically commanded duties. They are to love God and to love one another. We are also to have joy, glorify God, worship Him in holiness and honor the Son just as we are to honor the Father.

The Bible is very clear as to the final destiny of man. Man has a choice. If he chooses death, he will spend an eternity in Hell. If he chooses life, he chooses God's way and will spend an eternity with God in heaven. Those who believe in Jesus and accepts Him into their heart according to the scripture will spend an eternity on the new earth and in the new Jerusalem and in a world of sinless happiness in the constant presence of God and the Lamb of God which is Christ.

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in Genesis 1:1.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

PRAYER

Thank You for being mindful of me and caring for me. Help me to be an example to my family and to those people I meet today of Your love and salvation. Thank You for your creation and the provision You have given man for salvation through Your Son Jesus.