Lesson 12
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IN THE first chapter of Genesis, we noted that God created man "in His own image." At this point, it may be well for us to inquire whether the fall of man injured or effaced this image.
THE IMAGE OF GOD
As to Moral Nature.
Man no longer has true knowledge. Cf. Romans 3:11; II Corinthians 4:4; and Romans, chapters one and two.
Man no longer has true righteousness. Cf. Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:11; Ephesians 2:5.
Man no longer has true holiness. Cf. Psalm 51:1-5; Romans 3:9-18. The whole teaching of the Bible is that man is a sinner.
Man has, therefore, completely lost the image of God as to moral nature.
As to Rational Nature.
As to his rational nature, man has not completely lost the image of God, for, even though man is a sinner, he can still reason and think, use his will, and make choices. But his reason and will have become blinded by sin, clouded and affected, so that they are not what they were before the fall. Note II Corinthians 4:4 and the other passages given above. Also review the lesson upon the Image of God (Lesson Six).
Furthermore, the sin of man affected creation itself, God cursed the ground because of man, the "whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now," Romans 8:22.
This sad condition into which the fall plunged man has so completely enslaved him that he cannot understand God's ways. In vain does he endeavor to throw off the yoke of bondage, but cannot. He tries one remedy after another, seeking ever for happiness and relief, yet never finding them. It was into this sin-cursed world that a SINLESS ONE came, Himself a MAN, tempted in all points like as we, and yet completely without sin. He knew how utterly unable we were to do anything to save ourselves, so He Himself did something to save us. He offered up Himself as a sacrifice to God; He shed His precious blood on the Cross of Calvary in order that He might completely satisfy the righteous wrath of God, and by His death He stilled forever the accusing finger of God's law. And He has told us that if we simply believe on Him, if we simply trust Him to pay the whole debt of our sin, He will accept us.
But we have fallen far into sin. Even the best of men, if they are honest, must recognize how morally rotten they are. But, notwithstanding all we have done, He will accept us, for His death has completely satisfied God's wrath, and no longer can any fault be found in us. We are clothed with Christ's righteousness. The reason why Christ was able to save us lies in the fact that He is God. Yet, since we who sinned are human beings, Christ also became a human being in order to save us. (Hebrews 2: 14 ff.) Christ, Who is God, became man (John 1:14) and, now that His redeeming work is done, continues in two natures, Divine and human, yet one Person, forever.
EXERCISES
- Does man have true knowledge since the fall?
- How did man lose true knowledge?
- Does man now have true righteousness?
- Does man now have true holiness?
- Has man completely lost the image of God as far as his moral nature is concerned?
- Has man completely lost the image of God as to his rational nature?
- What has happened to man's reason and will by the fall?
OPTIONAL EXERCISES
- Commit to memory Psalm 51.
- Commit to memory question eighteen of the Shorter Catechism, or questions three, five, and eight of the Heidelberg Catechism.
HYMNS FOR STUDY
No. 74: "Alas, And Did My Saviour Bleed?"
No. 39: "The Heavens Declare Thy Glory."