What does it mean to be Human?
It all begins with an idea.
In order to answer this question, we must consider whether being Human is different from being any other creature in the universe. If there is no difference, then we can be content to answer the question with the simple answer that we are mere mammals with superior intelligence and at the top of the food chain. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines being a Human-Being as “an individual of the species of primate mammal that walks on two feet: a person”. If I choose to believe that this definition is true, my life feels very insignificant. If true, there is no reason for morality of any kind, violence is just part of the natural order, and we should all do what is right in our own eyes. In essence, let us eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die. Tragically, this is how many people have come to see the meaning of life. It seems that from birth each individual is directly affected by the belief either of their biological parents or the persons who are entrusted with caring for them until they are adults. Therefore, being the son of conservative Christian parents, the belief in God as my creator, the need for a savior in Jesus Christ and the knowledge that the Holy Bible is the infallible Word of God, has greatly determined my answer to the question.
I will henceforth proceed with the assumption that the reader has a belief in The Holy Bible as their standard for truth. As a teacher of the truth, people often expect to be informed of things they never knew. However, often it is only necessary to remind them of things they already know.
What does it mean to be Human?
Genesis 1:26-28
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Consider the following points from Genesis 1:16-28.
Man (Human) is made in the image and likeness of God.
God made man both male and female to be fruitful and multiply
God gave man a responsibility.
God blessed man
Notice that Man is the culmination of God’s creative work. Unlike anything that God has created to this point, man (human) is special.
“Praise God!” Is my cry!
How wonderful to be called the sons of God!
How great to be called by His name!
Amen and amen!
Also take note: God speaks of Himself in the plural pronoun “us”. This is the first reference to the Holy Trinity of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. (1Jn 5:7)
As God is three, and man is made in the image and likeness of God, Man has a mind, we have a body, and we have a Spirit.
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (Mat. 22:37)
Genesis 2:7
7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Genesis 2:18-24
18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
19 And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Consider the following points from Genesis 2:
All previous things that God created were spoken into existence. (God said, ”Let there be light: and there was light.”) However, God formed and fashioned the man with His hands from the dust of the earth. God breathed into man the breath of life. The creation of man was an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. (Read the gospel of John chapter 1.)
Nothing else that God created could take the place of the woman (“bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh”)
Marriage was instituted by God when God brought the woman to the man. Marriage is between a man and a woman. “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
What does it mean to be Human?
Romans 1:20
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
It means that it is foolish to say “There is no God.”
It means that we are accountable to one greater than ourselves.
It means that the soul of man is precious and worth saving.
It means that there is only one race of mankind - The Human Race.
It means that male and female need one another and are to work together as one.
It means that God has a purpose and works for our lives.
It means that God has provided for our every need.
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow !