Man is incommeasurable with the rest of the universe. He is of a different kind, and by his moral nature is more akin to God, than to his works. God made man to live in communion with Him. The opening chapters of the Old and New Testaments are complementary; they have an obvious relationship when studied together. Adam fell short of what he was meant to be. And in Christ-God incarnate-in-man—we see the ideal restored. We see what God meant man to be—like Him; and living in close communion and fellowship with Him.
These are a few of the truths the opening chapters of the Book of Genesis have to teach us. Do you wonder that I said in opening, that we neglect the Old Testament to our own great loss?
Whatever else we forget, may we take this, at least, away from our study this morning.
May we remember, when life seems hard, and discouragements crowd in upon us "In the Begining God"
That the Almighty God is behind all.—over-ruling all, ind that he i: our loving Heavenly Father.
And remember too, for what we were created. Man was not made to be the plaything of blind, mech-animal laws,—but free. Nor was he made to be dominated by lust and passion, but by spirit. He was not made for sin, but for holiness,—Like God, and privileged to enjoy fellowship and communion with God.
And then one last word.
What does this revelation mean to us individually?
Stop for a moment, and consider. Does it mean anything?—Or, are we living as if we were nearer akin to the beasts of the field and harvest of the earth? Living as if we were but the product of circumstance and el vironment? 1f so, I beg you this morning,—listen. to he word of God in these chapters. Leatn that God created and designed all things; that he sustains all by his Almighty power. That he made man, and endowed him with something that sets him apart from all else,—that he breathed into him his own spirit. And by tha? endowment, we have a glorious purpose to play, a great heritage into which we may enter. We may think his thought, enjoy his communion, and fellowship with him,—become intelligent executor of his purposes.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.