Man, You're Something

Cal Smith sung a song titled Country Bumpkin. Some of the lyrics are "Hello, country bumpkin, How's the frost put on the pumpkin? I've seen some sights but man you're something. Where did you come from country bumpkin?" The writer of this song was accurate when he wrote, "man you're something." Mankind is something and as to the question, "Where did you come from country bumpkin," the answer is from God.

In Genesis 1:26, 27 the Bible says, "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to our likeness ... so God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.'" Man is truly something because he is created in the image and likeness of God. Theologians and Bible scholars have tried to interpret what it means for us to be created in God's image and likeness. They have cited things such as man's intellect and his ability to reason and make decisions, his moral understanding and responsibility and the freedom that we possess.

One thing is clear in scripture, man is the crown of God's creation. He is unique and stands apart from all else that God has created. We should be grateful for the place that God has given us in His creation. Every nationality and every race among the human family bears this same image. To dehumanize any race or place make one race superior to another is an evil distortion of the doctrine of the creation of man.

Whatever the full meaning and implications of our being created in the image and likeness of God may be, there are two things that are especially applicable for us as we live out our lives. First, the fact that we are created in the image and likeness of gives us value. We need to see the value that God has given to us as the crown of His creation. Every person and every life should be given the upmost respect. If we truly value life, can we choose to destroy it without necessity or cause? Can we scorn any human being, even though we may reject their actions and grieve over their choices. I believe life in our world today has become cheap, something to be discarded or destroyed if and when life becomes inconvenient or stands in the way of our selfish, egotistical, evil purposes or objectives. May God help us value life.

The second meaning or implication of being created in the image and likeness of God is that we represent God in our world. Bearing His image and likeness we are God's representatives and agents in His world. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, "Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ..." An ambassador represents a country, speaks and acts on behalf of his country. Only mankind created in the image and likeness of God can represent Him and act on His behalf. In the Bible God uses animals. God actually used a donkey to speak to Balaam, a prophet who was enlisted to curse the children of Israel. A talking donkey can be used of God but cannot represent God as man does.

The obvious question for all of us who profess Christ as our Savior, how are we representing God in our world? Are we bearing His image in such a way that we are bringing glory and honor to His name. This is our challenge each day. God help us to realize our value and our responsibility as mankind created in His image and likeness. And just remember, "Man, You're Something."