“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 being” (Genesis 2:7).
Many have come to believe that human beings evolved—not just from lower life forms, such as amoebas—but from the most basic that even the Bible says mankind originally came from dirt. Yet there is one significant diversion we take from our evolutionary friends. It involves a crucial player in the process: God.
Unlike birds, mammals, or insects, the Bible sets apart the creation of people with something like a flashing neon light: “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ 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).
We aren’t left to wonder about our origins when we take the creation of Adam, the first human being, at face value. Our genealogy does not trace back to a turtle or tadpole. The Bible traces our family tree back to Adam, who is called a “son of God” (Luke 3:38).
When God breathed into him the breath of life, Adam did not grovel around on the earth, but stood upright in perfect symmetry and glowing with health. His flawless mind and body were matched by a strong and noble character. Adam’s original design revealed the faultless attributes of his Creator.
You were created in the likeness of a holy and loving God. Do you need to shake off some dust and stand tall?
Dear Lord, may I never forget my origins. Please breathe into me today Your life-giving power.
