7. Introduction
• Who am I? Why am I here? These are LIFE’S BIG
QUESTIONS. Everyone asks these questions, or
variations of them, in every AGE and every
CULTURE at some point in their lives. The
answers to these questions are linked to our SELF-
IMAGE and our WORLDVIEW. Theologically, MAN
IS A CREATED TERRESTRIAL SPIRIT BEING
WITH MORAL JUDGMENT and INTELLIGENCE,
BEARING THE IMAGE OF GOD. Bearing the
IMAGE (selem- resemblance, figure) of GOD and
the LIKENESS (demut- manner, similitude,
fashion) of GOD, MAN was DESIGNED to be
GOD’S REPRESENTATIVE on the EARTH
(Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7).
8. Introduction
•The Hebrew words “IMAGE” (tselem)
and “LIKENESS” (demuwth) refer to
something that is a “DUPLICATE OF”
but not the “original of.” The fact that
man is in the IMAGE of GOD means
that man is like God in the following
ways: INTELLECTUAL ABILITY, moral
purity, SPIRITUAL NATURE, creativity,
DOMINION over the EARTH, ability to
make ethical choices, and immortality.
9. Introduction
• The LORD God PLANTED a GARDEN in the
EAST of EDEN (Genesis 2:8). He “TOOK” (laqah-
take away, fetch, draw, carry away) the MAN who
He formed and “PLACED” (yanah- deposit, put,
lay up, settle down) him “IN” or “INTO” the
GARDEN (v. 15). The PURPOSE of MAN, being in
the GARDEN, was to “WORK” (‘abad- serve,
dress, till, execute) and “KEEP” (shamar- guard,
protect, watch, observe, preserve) it (v. 15). This
reveals that the FIRST ASSIGNMENT of MAN is
to be a GARDENER (John 20:11-17). It is also
denoted in the KINGDOM MANDATE- “Be fruitful,
multiple, replenish the earth, subdue it, and have
dominion” (Genesis 1:28).
10. Introduction
• Man’s ASSIGNMENT coupled with bearing
the IMAGE and LIKENESS of GOD meant
he was created RE-PRESENT GOD in
PERSONALITY and FUNCTION on the
earth. In order to EXAMINE the
DOMINION and AUTHORITY of MAN,
GOD provided a means to TEST MAN’S
CREATIVE and INTELLECTUAL ability. He
brought to man ALL the ANIMALS, over
which He had GIVEN man DOMINION, to
SEE what he would CALL them (Genesis
2:19-20).
11. Introduction
• Man perfectly PASSED his TEST of
DOMINION over the ANIMAL and
VEGETATION KINGDOMS (Genesis 2:16-
17,19-20). However, he horribly failed his
TEST of SUBJECTION (Genesis 3:1-7).
He neither CONQUERED the SERPENT
or his own APPETITE. Ultimately, he
caused ALL CREATION to FALL along with
him. Why? What was the reason for the his
fall? He did NOT KNOW or UNDERSTAND
WHO HE WAS. He assumed a MISTAKEN
IDENTITY.
12. Introduction
• The FALL and SIN of MAN incited GOD to ask him
THREE QUESTIONS: (1) “Where are you?”
(Genesis 3:9) This speaks to POSITION and
ACCOUNTABILITY. (2) “Who told you that you
were naked?” (v. 11) This speaks AUTHORITY,
IDENTITY, and FELLOWSHIP. (3) “Have you eaten
of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”
(v. 11) This speaks to APPETITE, COMPLIANCE,
RESPONSIBILITY, and RESPONDABILLITY. The
LIE of INSIGNIFICANCE has produced both
MISREPRESENTATION of PURPOSE and
IDENTITY in man. Thankfully, JESUS Christ came
to RESTORE and make ALL THINGS new (2
Corinthians 5:17-18). However, we must PASS the
TEST of SUBJECTION and RECLAIM our
IDENTITY. Who are you?
14. Here is a list of biblical
affirmations about our identity
in JESUS Christ that is derived
from a few selected passages
mostly in the New Testament.
This is just a portion of the
many truths about who we have
become through faith in Christ,
but it is a powerful inventory to
review from time to time.
50. Conclusion
•The more we embrace
these truths from Scripture
about who we have
become in Christ, the more
stable, grateful, and fully
assured we will be in this
world.
