Lesson 6
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THE ORIGINAL STATE OF MAN
(Before studying this section, the student should read again the second chapter of Genesis [Gen 2].) AS originally created by God, man was mature; that is, he way not created as a child, but as a full-grown man. This is evident from such verses as Genesis 2:15-25.
Man was also created perfect; that is, he was perfectly adapted to the place in which God put him. He was thoroughly in harmony with God's will and had no thought of disobeying it. He was declared to be GOOD, indeed VERY GOOD (Genesis 1:31). As man was originally created, there was no cause of death WITHIN himself. He would have lived on forever, without incurring death. Let it be noted, however, that there was the possibility of his incurring death by disobeying God; but in man himself, as he was first created, there was no cause of death.
Man was created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). These words, image and likeness, are practically synonyms. We might paraphrase thus, an image like God. There are two ways in which man is the image of God:
- As to his RATIONAL nature. Man is a spirit as God is a spirit. Man has the ability to think and will as God also has, and man is an intelligent being as is God. Thus man bears the Divine impress upon himself.
- As to his MORAL nature. Adam was created in true knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. He was declared to be very good. Let the student study carefully Colossians 3:10 and Ephesians 4:24.
THE COVENANT OF WORKS By reading verses 16 and 17 of Genesis 2 [Gen 2:16-17] we see that God entered into a covenant with Adam. A covenant is a binding agreement between two parties. By this covenant God told Adam that if he ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he would surely die. Hence, we may rightfully infer that if Adam did not eat of the fruit of this tree he would not die; in other words, he would live.
The outcome of the covenant depended upon what Adam DID; it was, therefore, a covenant of works. The penalty of disobeying or of breaking the covenant was death. Adam was the representative of the whole human race, and when he broke the covenant, he brought death not only upon himself, but upon all mankind.
EXERCISES
- Have we Scriptural evidence for saying that man was created full grown and not as a child? What it this evidence?
- What it meant when we say that man was created perfect?
- As man was originally created, was there any cause of death WITHIN him?
- How could Adam die?
- Paraphrase the two words, image and likeness.
- How is man created in the image of God? Explain carefully and fully.
- With whom did God enter into a covenant?
- What is a covenant?
- What was Adam forbidden to do, and what would be the result of his disobedience?
- Is it correct to say that if Adam did not disobey God, he would live? Why?
- Upon what did the outcome of the covenant depend?
Was it a covenant of works? Why?
OPTIONAL EXERCISES
Study carefully and commit to memory questions twelve and thirteen of the Shorter Catechism, or questions six, seven, and twenty-seven of the Heidelberg Catechism.
HYMNS FOR STUDY
No. 106: "Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned."
No. 26: "Lord, Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing."