Topical Bible: Man: Made for God

◄ Man: Made for God ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Creation and Purpose

The creation of man is a foundational theme in the Bible, emphasizing humanity's unique role and purpose in God's divine plan. According to Genesis 1:26-27 , "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.' So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." This passage highlights that man was created in the image and likeness of God, signifying a special relationship and purpose: to reflect God's character and to exercise dominion over creation.

Relationship with God

The Bible underscores that man was made for a relationship with God. In Genesis 2:7 , it is written, "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 intimate act of God breathing life into man signifies a personal and spiritual connection. Furthermore, in Genesis 3:8, we see God walking in the garden, indicating His desire for fellowship with man.

Moral Responsibility and Free Will

Man's creation in God's image also entails moral responsibility and the capacity for free will. In Genesis 2:16-17 , God commands Adam, "You may eat freely from every tree of the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die." This commandment establishes the moral framework within which man is to operate, highlighting the importance of obedience and the consequences of disobedience.

Fall and Redemption

The fall of man, as described in Genesis 3, marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative. Despite being made for God, man chose to disobey, resulting in separation from God. Romans 5:12 states, "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned." However, the Bible also reveals God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. In Romans 5:19 , it is written, "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous."

Eternal Purpose

The ultimate purpose for which man was made is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Isaiah 43:7 declares, "Everyone called by My name and created for My glory, whom I have indeed formed and made." This purpose is further affirmed in the New Testament, where believers are called to live for God's glory. In 1 Corinthians 10:31 , Paul exhorts, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God."

Restoration and New Creation

The Bible promises a future restoration where the relationship between God and man will be fully restored. Revelation 21:3-4 offers a vision of this restored relationship: "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.'" This promise underscores the eternal purpose for which man was made: to dwell with God in perfect harmony.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 16:4
The LORD has made all things for himself: yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 4:11
You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... We have made faith a ... to ‘count it done,’ but is the deep consciousness divinely imparted
to the heart of man that it ... it is the faith that only God can give ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

Library

In what State Man was Made by God, and into what Estate He Fell by ...
... Book XIII. Chapter 14."In What State Man Was Made by God, and into What
Estate He Fell by the Choice of His Own Will. For God, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 14 in what state man.htm

Faustus Explains the Manich??an Denial that Man was Made by God as ...
... Book XXIV. Faustus explains the Manich??an denial that man was made by
God as applying to the fleshly man not to the spiritual. ...
/.../faustus explains the manichaean denial.htm

Whether this is True: "God was Made Man"?
... OF THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO CHRIST IN HIS BEING AND BECOMING
(TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether this is true: "God was made man"? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether this is true god 2.htm

Why God Made Man.
... Chap. XIV."Why God Made Man. It follows that I show for what purpose God
made man himself. As He contrived the world for the sake ...
/.../chap xiv why god made man.htm

Whether this is True: "Man was Made God"?
... OF THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO CHRIST IN HIS BEING AND BECOMING
(TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether this is true: "Man was made God"? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether this is true man 2.htm

As God Made Man by a Word
... On the Incarnation of the Word. Section 44. As God made man by a word. Section
44. As God made man by a word, why not restore him by a word? ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 44 as god made.htm

"God is Endless, Sovereign Truth, --Wisdom, --Love, Not-Made; and ...
... REVELATIONS CHAPTER XLIV "God is endless, sovereign Truth,"Wisdom,"Love, not-made;
and man's Soul is a creature in God which hath the same properties made". ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter xliv god is endless.htm

That the World was Made on Account of Man, and Man on Account of ...
... God made the world on account of man. ... Therefore God made all things on account
of man, because all things have turned out for the use of man. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap lxix that the world was.htm

How Cuthbert, a Man of God, was Made Bishop; and How He Lived and ...
... BOOK IV CHAP. XXVII. How Cuthbert, a man of God, was made bishop; and how he
lived and taught whilst still in the monastic life. [685 AD]. ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xxvii how cuthbert a.htm

If God had Anyhow Checked Man's Liberty, Marcion Would have Been ...
... Another and Opposite Cavil. Man's Fall Foreseen by God. Provision Made for
It Remedially and Consistently with His Truth and Goodness. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter vii if god had anyhow.htm