HOME / PROCLAMATION! MAGAZINE / 2014 / SUMMER / THE NATURE OF MAN
THE NATURE OF MAN
DALE RATZLAFF
First, we note in Gen. 2:7 that the Lord “formed man out of the dust of the earth”. There is no hint of an evolutionary process in the creation of man.
Second, the origin of man’s life is completely separate and distinct from that of the animals and is made in the image or likeness of God, and God is spirit (Jn. 4:24; 2 Cor. 3:18).
When Stephen was being stoned, he cried out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” (Act 7:59). His “spirit” was more than the air in his lungs. Jesus told the Samaritan woman, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (Jn. 4:24). Paul says, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God” (Rom. 8:16). As used here, “our spirit” cannot be the Holy Spirit. By itself our spirit cannot testify that we are members of God’s family, but our spirit can receive this testimony and is the site of God’s regenerating work in us.
The writer of Hebrews states:
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12).
One of the most insightful statements on the human spirit is found in Hebrews 12:23, and as born-again believers we are ushered into this reality:
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect (Heb. 12:22-23). †
Copyright 2014 Life Assurance Ministries, Inc., Camp Verde, Arizona, USA. All rights reserved. Revised August 25, 2014. Contact email: proclamation@gmail.com
S U M M E R • 2 0 1 4
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 2
