The Truth about Man
It is evident that man today is in dire need of understanding his origin, his nature, and his role. Much of the chaos and contumacy today, I am convinced, is a failure on the part of man to possess such information.
Man was created by God. Man is not a product of mindless evolution or of chance. "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him…" (Gen. 1: 27). Consider the following observation:
"Observe, I. That man was made last of all the creatures, that it might not be suspected that he had been, any way, a helper to God in the creation of the world: that question must be for ever humbling and mortifying to him, Where wast thou, or any of thy kind, when I laid the foundations of the earth? Job 38:4. Yet it was both an honour and a favour to him that he was made last: an honour, for the method of the creation was to advance from that which was less perfect to that which was more so; and a favour, for it was not fit he should be lodged in the palace designed for him till it was completely fitted up and furnished for his reception. Man, as soon as he was made, had the whole visible creation before him, both to contemplate and to take the comfort of. Man was made the same day that the beasts were, because his body was made of the same earth with theirs; and, while he is in the body, he inhabits the same earth with them. God forbid that by indulging the body and the desires of it we should make ourselves like the beasts that perish!" (Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary, comments on Genesis 1: 26).
God created man as a full-grown entity. Also consider that God created "…male and female created he them" (Gen. 1: 27.). The belief that man simply came into existence and evolved is an insult to the intellect. However, the teaching that male and female simultaneously evolved is totally laughable! Since man was created in God's image, he (only he) has the capacity for spirituality and eternality.
Man was created as a dual being. As far as the tangible is concerned, we cannot see man, that is, the spirit of man. Peter refers to the intangible as "the hidden man of the heart" (I Pet. 3: 4). Paul refers to the "outward man" and "the inward man" (2 Cor. 4: 16). The body, that which we see, is simply the "tabernacle" for the spirit of man, the real man (2 Cor. 5: 5: 1-7). James wrote, "For as the body without the spirit is dead…" (Jas. 2: 26). Actually, the scriptures teach that man is a triune being, consisting of three parts, body, soul, and spirit (I Thes. 5:23).
The role of man. The role of man, as revealed by the Creator of man, is "…Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole of man: (Eccl. 12: 13). It behooves man to glorify his Creator (I Cor. 6: 20). Man is to offer both his body and mind as a living sacrifice to his God (Rom. 12: 1, 2). As a husband, he is to leave all others and "cleave unto his wife" (Gen. 2: 24). He is to be the head of his family and a provider (Eph. 5: 22, 23, I Tim. 5: 8). Headship is not, however, a dictatorial position. Consider B. W. Johnson's comments on Ephesians 5: 22-24:
"'Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands.' Mutual duties are named. The husband should "love his wife as Christ loved the church," and the wife should submit to this loving husband "as unto the Lord." The husband is the "head" of the family, but must be willing to give himself for it. '23. The husband is the head of the wife.' Every organization must have a head. The head of the family can only rule the wife in the most devoted love (verses 23 and 25). '24. As the church, etc.' The relation of the wife to the husband is like that of the church in Christ, a close, tender relation, in which there is no bondage, but freedom, because the service is that of the heart" (The People's Commentary).
As a father, he is to "bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6: 4). He has, then, enjoined on him the responsibility of his children's spiritual education and training. How miserably many fathers are failing in God assigned headship!
There is no denying that many today are groping about in darkness. Such ignorance is needless because God in his word reveals and provides the truth regarding man. It is up to man to responsibly accept and apply God's teaching. The real man is one who acknowledges his Maker and accepts his duties without complaint and excuse. (Be sure to read, "The Truth about Woman," click on to visit. Check out also, "Can Man Become God?")