Topical Bible: Life: from God

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Introduction

The concept of life as originating from God is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the belief that God is the ultimate source and sustainer of all life. This entry explores the biblical understanding of life as a divine gift, its spiritual dimensions, and its implications for human existence.

Creation and the Gift of Life

The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God is depicted as the Creator of all life. In Genesis 1:26-27 , it is written, "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness... So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.'" This passage underscores the belief that human life is a direct act of divine creation, imbued with the image of God, which confers inherent dignity and purpose.

Furthermore, Genesis 2:7 states, "Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being." This verse highlights the intimate involvement of God in the creation of life, emphasizing that life itself is a divine breath, a gift from God that animates and sustains human beings.

Sustenance and Dependence on God

The Bible consistently portrays God as the sustainer of life. In Acts 17:28 , the Apostle Paul declares, "For in Him we live and move and have our being." This statement reflects the belief that all life is dependent on God for its existence and continuity. The sustaining power of God is also evident in passages such as Psalm 104:29-30 , which states, "When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to dust. When You send Your Spirit, they are created, and You renew the face of the earth."

Spiritual Life and Eternal Life

Beyond physical existence, the Bible speaks of a spiritual dimension to life that is also from God. In John 10:10 , Jesus proclaims, "I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness." This abundant life is understood as a spiritual reality that transcends mere physical survival, encompassing a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

The concept of eternal life is a significant aspect of biblical teaching, emphasizing life that extends beyond the temporal realm. John 3:16 famously states, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Eternal life is presented as a gift from God, accessible through faith in Jesus Christ, and characterized by an everlasting communion with God.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The belief that life is from God carries profound moral and ethical implications. Human life is viewed as sacred and deserving of protection and respect. This is reflected in the commandment, "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13), which underscores the sanctity of life. Additionally, the biblical call to love one's neighbor (Mark 12:31) and to care for the vulnerable (James 1:27) further emphasizes the value and dignity of life as a divine gift.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of life as originating from God encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, highlighting the divine source and sustenance of all existence. This understanding shapes the Christian view of human dignity, moral responsibility, and the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 2:7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 8:3
And he humbled you, and suffered you to hunger, and fed you with manna, which you knew not, neither did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD does man live.
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Deuteronomy 30:20
That you may love the LORD your God, and that you may obey his voice, and that you may hold to him: for he is your life, and the length of your days: that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
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Deuteronomy 32:39,40
See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.
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1 Samuel 2:6
The LORD kills, and makes alive: he brings down to the grave, and brings up.
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Job 27:3
All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;
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Job 34:14,15
If he set his heart on man, if he gather to himself his spirit and his breath;
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Psalm 22:29
All they that be fat on earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.
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Psalm 30:3
O LORD, you have brought up my soul from the grave: you have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
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Psalm 68:20
He that is our God is the God of salvation; and to GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.
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Psalm 104:30
You send forth your spirit, they are created: and you renew the face of the earth.
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Ecclesiastes 12:7
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return to God who gave it.
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Isaiah 38:16-20
O LORD, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so will you recover me, and make me to live.
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Acts 17:25-28
Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things;
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Romans 4:17
(As it is written, I have made you a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who vivifies the dead, and calls those things which be not as though they were.
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1 Timothy 6:13
I give you charge in the sight of God, who vivifies all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
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James 4:15
For that you ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
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Greek

979. bios -- life, living
... 979 -- properly, God's gift of life, animating all creation "to live and
move and have its being" (cf. Ac 17:28); (figuratively) the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/979.htm - 7k

2227. zoopoieo -- to make alive
... 2227 ("make alive, enliven") is particularly used of God . The Lord infuses
eternal life () into us each time we receive (obey) . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2227.htm - 8k

2487. ichnos -- a track
... [Note how the " of faith" is signaled by the Greek . This refers to faith in a
believer's life to reveal and empower God's preferred-will (cf. 2307 ). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2487.htm - 7k

5590. psuche -- breath, the soul
... 5590 () corresponds exactly to the OT 5315 ("soul"). The is the direct aftermath
of God breathing (blowing) His gift of life into a , making them an . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5590.htm - 8k

2198. zao -- to live
... Definition: I live, am alive. Cognate: 2198 -- to live, experience God's gift
of life. See 2222 (). Word Origin from prim. roots ze- and zo ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2198.htm - 9k

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... for he who comes to God must believe that He is and ... The Lord offers to inbirth faith
in each scene of life – so that each matters equally in eternity . . . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

3962. pater -- a father
... He imparts life, from physical birth to the gift of eternal life through the birth ...
as in the NT, the OT never speaks of universal fatherhood of God toward men ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3962.htm - 8k

2288. thanatos -- death
... 2288 (derived from 2348 , "to die") -- physical or spiritual ; (figuratively)
separation from the life (salvation) of God forever by dying without first ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2288.htm - 7k

5428. phronesis -- understanding, practical wisdom
... of faith ("divine ," 4102 ), ie Christ-enlightened perspective which has the sight
to make intelligent (shrewd) life-applications in the will of God. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5428.htm - 7k

2589. kardiognostes -- knower of hearts
... a knower of the inner life Definition: a knower of the inner life (character, hearts ...
2589 ("the heart-discerner") is used only of God (Ac 1:24, 15:8) -- the one ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2589.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

2421. chayah -- to live
... X certainly, give (promise) life, (let, suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive),
quicken, recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, (X God) save (alive ...
/hebrew/2421.htm - 6k

5272. N'iy'el -- youth, early life
... youth, early life. Transliteration: N'iy'el Phonetic Spelling: (neh-ee-ale') Short
Definition: Neiel. Neiel From nuwa' and 'el; moved of God; Neiel, a place in ...
/hebrew/5272.htm - 5k

Library

On the Life of God I.
... DISPUTATION XVI ON THE LIFE OF GOD I. Life is that which comes ... And the
life of God is easily proved. For, as whatever is beside ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xvi on the life.htm

The Life of God
... And so no one could have seen God's life, or known what life God lived, and what
character God's was, had it not been for the incarnation of our Lord Jesus ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon iii the life of.htm

Whether all Things are Life in God?
... THE LIFE OF GOD (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether all things are life in God? Objection
1: It seems that not all things are life in God. For ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether all things are life.htm

The Life of God
... SERMON XV. THE LIFE OF GOD. ... There is but one righteousness, the life of God; there
is but one sin, and that is being alienated from the life of God. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon xv the life of.htm

The Life of God (Four Articles)
... THE LIFE OF GOD (FOUR ARTICLES). ... (2) What is life? (3) Whether life is properly
attributed to God? (4) Whether all things in God are life? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/the life of god four.htm

March the Sixth Home-Life in God
... MARCH The Sixth HOME-LIFE IN GOD. ... The home-life in God is to be a life of perfect
union""I in them, and Thou in Me." Home is only another name for union. ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/march the sixth home-life in.htm

The Life of God in the Soul of Man
The Life of God in the Soul of Man. <. The Life of God in the Soul
of Man Henry Scougal. Table of Contents. Title Page. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/scougal/the life of god in the soul of man/

The Life of God in the Soul.
... BOOK II. ON THE STATE OF ABANDONMENT.CHAPTER I. ON THE NATURE AND EXCELLENCE OF
THE STATE OF ABANDONMENT: SECTION I."The life of God in the soul. ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/section i the life of god.htm

The Church Militant 469. Lord of Our Life, and God of Our ...
... V. THE CHURCH The Church Militant 469. Lord of our life, and God of our salvation.
11.11.11.5 ... Philip Pusey. Lord of our life, and God of our salvation,. ...
/.../the church militant 469 lord.htm

The Life of God in the Soul of Man
The Life of God in the Soul of Man. <. ... Title Page.
THE LIFE OF GOD IN THE. SOUL OF MAN. ...
/.../scougal/the life of god in the soul of man/title page.htm