Relationship Between God and Man

Did you know that God longs for a relationship with His people? In order to fully understand God’s relationship to man, we must first look at: creation of man, fall of man, and God’s plan of salvation for man.

Genesis 1:27-29- So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.

God created man His own image. To create something in your image would mean producing a replica of your own self. God’s intention was that man would be like Him. Not only did He create us to be in relationship with him, but He “breathed the breath of life into us”. ...and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; man became a living soul (Genesis 2 vs. 7). Man was created to be like God; think, speak and act like Him. He created man to fellowship with Him. Gen 3:8 makes us to understand that God would come and fellowship with Adam in the garden in the cool of the day. He made time to communicate with us. Here He illustrates that communication and quality time are two vital components of a relationship.

Man was to have total dominion on earth while God rules in heaven. (Psalm 115:16) Before He created man, He formed the world. He then created every fowl of the air, every fish of the sea, every cattle, every creeping thing that creepth upon the earth and gave man dominion over all. He gave man purpose and authority. He knew the potential of man and so He gave him his first duty. He provided all the means necessary for man to survive on the earth. Genesis 2:8-9 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there He put the man He had formed. And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

The relationship between God and man depicts love. In Genesis 3 vs.7-8, God knew that Adam and Eve had sinned. They disobeyed him and ate of the tree of good and evil. Their eyes were now opened. Yet he clothed them. In verse 21 it says that “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.”  And to express how much He loved man and desired a restoration of the kind of relationship He had with Adam and Eve, He gave His only son, Jesus Christ for mankind. (John 3:16)

Though man violated his relationship with God, God still loves us and He desires to enjoy the original relationship He had with man and all mankind. This is why He sent His son Jesus Christ, so that His word will be reconciled back to Him. (2 Corinthians 5:19) God desires that man assumes his original dominion on earth by walking in the precepts of God. He promises to supply our every need. "But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). God has promised that all things work together for good to those who love and serve Him faithfully (Romans 8:28). It may be difficult for us to see and understand how this is accomplished at times, but God has promised it, and He will deliver.

Mikki Clarke