26 Then 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 birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:26–27 ESV)
Genesis One is God’s revelation of how He created the universe. In six 24-hour days (Genesis 1:1-31), the LORD spoke everything into being in an orderly and comprehensive manner. The Bible says that not only did God create the universe, He also sustains it and upholds it by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:1-3).
6”By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.” (Psalm 33:6–9 (ESV)
The LORD creating everything from nothing extends to the pinnacle of His creativity; the making of male and female human beings. Genesis 1:26-27 emphatically states that God created men and women in His image. Image (Heb. Salme) means to be in God’s likeness. He gave both the male and female the ability to think, feel and to make informed and rational decisions. It is God who assigned then, and now, the physiological gender males and females possess.
The psalmist David acknowledged God’s current work in creating male and females through the process of conception, gestation and birth. “13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalm 139:13–16 (ESV)
However, since the fall of mankind into sin (Genesis 3:1-7), sinful, human beings still struggle with the sovereignty of God over His creation. This is summarized by Satan’s question (Rev. 12:1-9; 20:1-2) to the woman; “Did God actually say?” (Gen. 3:1).
“In effect Satan said, “Is it true that he (God) has restricted you from the delights of this place? This is not like one who is truly good and kind. There must be some mistake.” He insinuated doubt as to her understanding of God’s will, appearing as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14) to lead her to the supposed true interpretation. She received him without fear or surprise, but as some credible messenger from heaven with the true understanding, because of his cunning,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.
Did God actually say? This question cuts to the heart of mankind’s continual struggle with not only God’s existence, but also His reign and rule over the universe He created (Psalm 2).
Rebelling against God’s rightful authority in human lives continues to the present day. This rebelliousness is displayed by theft, lies, murder, and sexual immorality (Exodus 20:1-17). Mankind refuses to acknowledge God’s existence, to honor Him as Lord of heaven and earth, and to be thankful unto Him for who He is and what He does. Consequentially, man creates idols in place of God (Rom. 1:18-23).
For the next several days, we will suspend our studies from the Gospel of Matthew to biblically examine the issue of gender identity. An explanation of what gender identity is, how it is impacting the current culture, and how believers in Christ, the church, can address it will be studied. Current Christian books and resources will also be recommended for further reading and research.
It is the intent of this all too brief treatment of the subject of gender identity to do so with gentleness and respect (I Peter 3:13-15). However, it is also to be done by biblical truth, spoken and communicated in self-sacrificial obedient love for God and for those created in His mage (Eph. 4:15-16).
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 