Being human means living with both strengths and struggles. The Bible helps us understand what it means to be created in God’s image and dependent on His grace. Today, we’ll explore this profound truth.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Repentance And Confession
What Does The Bible Say About Being Human
Genesis 1:27
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
This verse reveals that being human is a unique and special creation of God. It highlights that humans are made in the image of God, reflecting His character and nature. As human beings, we have inherent worth and dignity because we are created by the Creator Himself.
This truth also implies that every human life should be valued and respected, regardless of race, gender, or any other factor. It reminds us that being human is a divine gift, and we are called to reflect God’s love, righteousness, and holiness in the world.
Psalms 139:14
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
This verse emphasizes the awe-inspiring nature of human creation. It acknowledges that each person is fearfully and wonderfully made by God. Our bodies and minds are intricately designed, showcasing the wisdom and craftsmanship of the Creator.
Recognizing the wonder of our own creation should lead us to praise and worship God, acknowledging His greatness and supremacy. It also reminds us to treat our physical bodies with care and respect, as they are a precious gift from God.
Psalm 8:4-5
“What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.”
These verses express a sense of wonder and gratitude for God’s attention and care towards humanity. Despite our smallness and insignificance compared to the vastness of the universe, God still chooses to love and care for each individual.
It also reveals that God has given humans a special place of honor in His creation. We are made a little lower than the angels and crowned with glory and honor. This verse highlights the inherent value and purpose that God has bestowed upon every human being.
Ecclesiastes 7:29
“This only have I found: God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes.”
This verse acknowledges the initial righteous state in which God created humanity. However, it also recognizes that human beings are prone to seeking their own ways and straying from the path of righteousness.
It serves as a reminder of our fallen nature and our need for redemption and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Despite our shortcomings, God still offers us the opportunity to turn back to Him and find restoration in His unfailing love.
Isaiah 64:8
“Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
These words depict the loving and intimate relationship between God and His creation. We are likened to clay, and God is the skilled potter who molds and shapes us according to His purpose and will.
This verse reminds us of our dependency on God and our need for His guidance and direction in our lives. It humbles us to surrender to His shaping and transformative work, allowing Him to mold us into vessels that bring glory and honor to Him.
Philippians 1:6
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
This verse brings assurance and encouragement to all believers. It affirms that God’s work in us is not incomplete or abandoned. He initiated a good work within us, and He will faithfully continue it until the day we are made complete in Christ Jesus.
It reminds us to trust in God’s faithfulness and sovereignty, knowing that He will fulfill His plans and purposes for our lives. This verse also motivates us to actively cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s transforming work in us, as we grow in Christlikeness and mature in our faith.
Romans 8:16-17
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
These verses highlight the incredible privilege and identity we have as children of God. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we are adopted into God’s family and become heirs of His kingdom alongside Christ.
This truth informs our understanding of being human, as it reveals that we are not simply products of chance or evolutionary processes. Instead, we have been divinely chosen and destined for a glorious inheritance in God’s eternal kingdom.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.”
These verses emphasize the sacredness and significance of our bodies as individual believers and collectively as the church. Our bodies are likened to temples, where the Holy Spirit chooses to dwell.
This truth calls us to honor and respect our bodies, abstaining from any form of defilement or destructive behavior. It also reinforces the importance of unity and love within the church, as we are all part of God’s sacred dwelling place on earth.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”
These verses further reiterate the sanctity of our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. They remind us that as believers, we are no longer our own, but we belong to God.
This truth challenges us to live in a way that brings honor and glory to God, both in our physical bodies and in every aspect of our lives. It calls us to treat our bodies with respect and purity, recognizing that they are dedicated to the service and worship of God.
Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
This verse reveals the intimate knowledge and purpose that God has for each person even before their physical existence. It demonstrates that God has a unique plan and calling for every human life.
Knowing that we are set apart by God and chosen for a specific purpose should give us confidence and assurance in our identity and worth. It also reminds us to seek God’s guidance and surrender to His will, allowing Him to fulfill His purposes through our lives.
Matthew 10:30
“And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”
This statement by Jesus highlights God’s attention to even the smallest details of our lives. It exemplifies His intimate knowledge and care for each individual.
It should bring comfort and assurance to know that not even a single hair goes unnoticed by God. It reminds us that we are not alone or forgotten, but we are deeply seen and loved by the Creator of the universe.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
These words spoken by the prophet Jeremiah convey God’s heart for His people. They reveal that God’s plans for us are filled with hope, purpose, and a future that is marked by prosperity and not harm.
This verse affirms our trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness. It encourages us to surrender our own plans and desires to God, knowing that His plans are far greater and more fulfilling than anything we could imagine.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
This invitation from Jesus offers comfort and solace to those who are weary and burdened. It reveals His compassionate and gentle nature, providing a source of rest and relief for our souls.
It reminds us that as human beings, we are not meant to carry our burdens alone. Instead, we are invited to surrender them to Jesus and find rest in His presence. His yoke is easy and His burden is light, offering freedom from the weight of the world.
Psalm 103:13-14
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.”
These verses portray God as a loving and compassionate Father, understanding our weaknesses and limitations as human beings. He knows our frailty and the temporary nature of our existence.
This truth invites us to find comfort in God’s compassion and mercy. It reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles and that God understands our human condition. It also encourages us to approach God with reverence and fear, acknowledging His divine wisdom and authority.
Psalm 103:15-16
“The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.”
These verses use vivid imagery to describe the brevity and fragility of human life. Like grass and flowers that wither away, our earthly existence is temporary and fleeting.
This truth humbles us and reminds us of the importance of living a life of purpose and significance. It calls us to treasure each moment and invest in things that have eternal value, rather than placing our hope and identity in the temporary things of this world.
Psalm 139:13
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
This verse highlights the intricate and intentional nature of human creation. It acknowledges God as the one who forms and shapes us from the very beginning of our existence.
Recognizing that God is the author of life should instill within us a deep sense of awe and reverence. It also underscores the sanctity of human life, affirming the inherent worth and value of every individual.
Job 33:4
“The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”
These words spoken by Elihu in the book of Job acknowledge the role of the Holy Spirit in the creation and sustainment of human life. It highlights that our very existence is dependent on God’s life-giving breath.
This truth inspires gratitude and awe at the gift of life that we have been given. It also reminds us to live in dependence on the Holy Spirit, allowing His guidance and empowerment to lead us in a life that honors God.
Psalm 119:73
“Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands.”
This verse expresses the acknowledgment that God’s hands are the ones who have skillfully crafted and molded each person. It attributes our very form and existence to the design and work of the Creator.
In recognizing God as our maker, this verse also presents a plea for understanding and wisdom to follow God’s commands. It demonstrates a desire to align our lives with the purposes and instructions of our divine Creator.
Psalm 8:3-5
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.”
These verses express awe and wonder at the vastness and beauty of God’s creation. It marvels at the insignificance of humanity compared to the vastness of the universe, yet acknowledges God’s unwavering attention and care for humanity.
It reveals that despite our smallness, God has crowned us with glory and honor. As humans, we are given a unique place of authority and responsibility in God’s creation, reflecting His image and stewarding His creation.
Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
This verse showcases the unfailing love and compassion of God towards humanity. It serves as a reminder that despite our flaws and failures, God’s love remains constant and His mercies are new every morning.
This truth offers hope and encouragement, especially in times of struggle and despair. It speaks to the enduring nature of God’s love and His faithfulness to His people, assuring us of His never-ending grace and compassion.
Matthew 6:26-27
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
These verses draw attention to the providential care and provision of God for all of His creation, using birds as an example. It highlights the inherent value and worth that God has placed on humanity, as we are considered more valuable than the birds.
This truth challenges us to trust in God’s provisions and not to be consumed by worry and anxiety. It reminds us that God’s faithfulness extends to every area of our lives, including our physical needs.
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
This verse declares that believers are the handiwork of God, uniquely created in Christ Jesus for a specific purpose. It affirms that God has prepared good works for us to walk in, even before we were born.
Understanding that we are God’s masterpiece should ignite a sense of purpose and motivation to fulfill the good works that He has prepared for us. It reminds us that being human is not accidental or purposeless, but it is part of God’s divine plan for His creation.
1 John 3:1-2
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”
These verses express the immense love and grace of God in calling us His children. It reveals that our true identity as believers is rooted in being children of the heavenly Father.
It also points to the future hope we have in Christ, as we await the day when we will be fully transformed and made like Him. This truth brings comfort and assurance, assuring us that our present struggles and sufferings are temporary, and our ultimate destiny is to be in glorious union with Jesus Christ.