God formed the first man from the dust of the ground and “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). Notice the words: man did not receive a soul; he became one. Each of us is one whole person, body, mind and spirit together, and each part affects the others.
We were made “in the image of God” (Genesis 1:27), able to think, to choose, to love and to care for the earth. But when Adam and Eve chose to disobey, sin entered the world, “and death by sin” (Romans 5:12). Every one of us is born into that broken world, and every one of us needs a Saviour.
The good news is that God did not give up on us. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Through Jesus, God is restoring His image in us. And because the whole person matters to God, Adventists care about health, the mind and education as well as the soul. You are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).
Key Bible verses
- Genesis 1:26-28Made in the image of God.
- Genesis 2:7Man became a living soul.
- Psalm 8:4-6A little lower than the angels, crowned with glory.
- Romans 5:12By one man sin entered into the world.
- Ecclesiastes 12:7The spirit returns unto God who gave it.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17In Christ, a new creature.
- Psalm 139:14Fearfully and wonderfully made.
Tap a reference to read it in the Bible.
Think about it
- What does it mean to you that you are made in the image of God?
- Why do you think God cares about our bodies and health, and not only our souls?
- How can you treat someone this week as a person made in God’s image?