Truth and Beauty
Page: Nature of Humans

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Nature of Humans

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   According to the Bible (though not a literal account), the first humans, Adam and Eve, are said to have been created by God. With bodies made from the dust of the ground, their souls were made in the image of God, and as a couple, they were to complement each other. Together they were to love God and one another, rule and care for (not abuse or exploit) the creation, and reproduce after their own kind. A unique bond with God, not available to any other earthly creature, was their privilege.

   Adam and Eve were created sinless and through the symbolic tree of life would have had access to eternal life, immortality and ultimate oneness with God. When they rebelled against God, however, their nature changed – the image of God in them was marred. Having been expelled from the Garden of Eden, they lost access to the tree of life -- the symbolic source of Divine Love and immortality. Their descendants likewise forfeited the privilege of in the physical life acquiring God's Love, and ultimately, in the age/life to come, immortality in the Kingdom of God. All people have since been born with a human nature and and only human love – subject to sin and "death" -- in the sense of being cut off from immortality and Divine Love that would transform their souls from the image of God to divine substance. After a relatively short physical life, their flesh-and-blood bodies return to dust where they came from, but their spirit bodies housing their soul continue in the spirit realm. 

   On the physical level, people are similar to animals – having the “breath of life” or “life principle,” in them. Unlike animals, however, each person has a soul that came from God and returns to God upon death. Through the soul, humans are capable of self-awareness, thoughts, reasoning, emotions, imagination, memory, conscience, morality, volition, and spirituality. These functions, and the degree to which they occur, set humankind apart from the rest of the earthly creatures. Because of the human spirit/soul in each person, God can discern thoughts and motives of the heart. 

   The Bible states that the penalty for sin, or the ultimate consequence of sin, is "death" as opposed to immortality. The good news, however, is that Jesus Christ came into the midst of this suffering world going contrary to God and brought and exemplified the truth of salvation through the new birth and new heart -- transformation of the soul by Divine Love imparted through the Holy Spirit. Jesus overcame death and gave hope to humans that death is not the end. God is love and offers eternal life in His Kingdom as a free gift, not desiring that any perish, but that all come to repentance and turn to him.

   In its natural state, the heart – the center of one’s being – is described as deceitful, hard, and evil. To reverse this innate nature, the heart needs changing from a “heart of stone” to a “heart of flesh.” Such transformation can only occur through God’s help – with the aid of the Holy Spirit. When a person is regenerated by the Divine Love imparted by the Spirit, their mind and soul is transformed. The Holy Spirit dwelling within gradually changes the heart to become receptive to the ways of God. A person’s thinking becomes more and more Christ-like and they are enabled to walk in obedience to God. The Holy Spirit is the down payment of immortal life.

   According to the Bible, God alone has immortality. In contrast, all life, including that of humans, comes from and is sustained by God. Without him, all life would cease. It is only by grace that humans have the opportunity to seek, and through the Holy Spirit receive, the gift of immortality and eternal life. Those who choose to live contrary to God will ultimately experience the “second death”.   

   Though presently living in a mortal “tent” subject to pain and sorrow, we are encouraged and exhorted to seek an everlasting dwelling with God in immortality. When we in this life seek God and His Love and receive the Holy Spirit, we experience a small foretaste of eternal life that will culminate in a glorious time of fullness and joy with God and all redeemed humanity.


© Eva Peck, 2010, updated 2015

Photo: Intellimon, Ltd.

For more information on the topic of humanity, feel free to visit my other website under the tab of Humanity: http://universal-spirituality.net/humanity

 


  


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About Us
Books and other websites
Truth
About God
The Experience of God
The God of Grace
Amazing Grace
God's Grace and Mercy - Another View
God's Grace in Small Things
Walking with God
God's Gifts and User Manual
God's Loving Care
The Dynamic God
Our Awesome and Incomprehensible God
God, Creation and Truth
The Common Aim of all Godly Religions
Living Buddha, Living Christ
About the Bible
Bible as the Word of God
Inspiration of the Scriptures
Another Reflection on the Bible
Truth Versus Facts
The Bible at your Fingertips
Letter from a Loving God
Book About Basic Bible Teachings
About the Universe
Nature and the Universe
Life's Origin
Our Unique Planet
Mind of the Universe
The Nature of Creation and Existence
Metaphysical View of the World
Order, Beauty, and Harmony - Part 1
Order, Beauty, and Harmony - Part 2
About Humanity
Nature of Humans
Of Creators and Creations
Truth and Perceptions
Our Present State and Divine Potential
Hidden Treasure Within Us
Precious Balls of Clay
Intertwining of Humanity and Divinity
Conversion
Finding One's Mission in Life
Living with Paradox
Scripture Bell
The Potential Good Within Evil
About Health and Happiness
Key Principles for Health and Happiness
Twelve Laws of Spirit
40 Spiritual Principles
Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
Wisdom from Rumi
Aspects of Spiritual Life
First Things First
Disciplined Living
Compassion
Listening
Experiencing Joy
Each Day is a Gift
Dealing with Suffering
Living in the Present
Other Aspects of Living in the Now
Choose Life
Dealing with Change
Acceptance
Prayer
Prayer -- Another Perspective
Serenity Prayer
The Lord's Prayer
Prayer to Magnify God
Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Pax -- the Peace of God's Presence
Let There Be Peace on Earth
Human Relationships
Children About Love
Inspiration from the Lives of a Godly Couple
Desiderata
References
Beauty
Skies and Seas
Glorious Sunrises
Beautiful Skies
Awesome Sunsets
Beauty of the Sea
Seaside Beauty
Trees and Flowers
Trees and Shrubs
Flowers in Bloom
Rose Garden
Beautiful Orchids
Animal Life
Australian Birds
Birds on Water and Land
Beautiful Creatures
Friendship of Kitten and Parrot
Other Animal Friendships
Parks and Gardens
Toowoomba Flower Festival
Riyadh Parks and Gardens
Spring Time
New Life
Spring Flowers
Flower Close-Ups
The Waterside
Water Edge
Water Mirrors
Artistic Expression
Art of Jindrich (Henry) Degen
Three Dogs Knowing
Beautiful Actions
The Cab Ride
Dancing in the Rain
Angel in Disguise?
Angels at Work
The Crocheted Tablecloth
Love in the Midst of Tragedy
Children's Innocence
Special Day
~ References ~
Free Downloads
God and Creation
God is Love
Identity in Christ
Love, Joy and Obedience
Nature of Truth
Thoughts about Life
Learning and Growth
Thoughts on Life and Death
Abandonment to God
Wishing You Well
Your Comments
Contact Us