SOAP 01/04/2014 Genesis 9:6

Today's reading: Genesis 9, 10, 11; Luke 4

S) "⁶ 'Whoever sheds man’s blood,
By man his blood shall be shed,
For in the image of God
He made man.'"

Genesis 9:6 (NASB)

     

O) I don't know why this never occurred to me, exactly. God is very possessive of all people. He created all of mankind in His image, and He takes it personally when His likeness, if you will, is destroyed. The NT shadows this concept in a few different ways, but it always felt relative to "us" as humans with each other. Like, husbands need to treat their wives as fellow heirs, for example. But I guess I never thought of how very offended God is whenever we mistreat other people. We aren't just mistreating a person like ourselves, but we're mistreating someone very important to God, someone He created with special purpose, and beauty, and fondness.

A) This seems pretty straightforward. Do not kill people. Well, I mean, okay, "Check." But, I think it's safe to extrapolate this further. Obviously, Jesus gave us the "Golden Rule," but again, my mindset was still very horizontal, if you will. So, as I look around at the people I encounter, I want to change my perspective to be more vertical. Instead of thinking of others as "fellow man," I want to start thinking of them as "God's son, or daughter."

P) Father, may I please have Your perspective, here? Holy Spirit, liven my heart within me as I encounter people in my life. Whether it's established relationships, as with family or coworkers, or if it's more momentary appointments, let me see people for who they are, but also for how they are, created in Your likeness, as someone precious and dear to You. In Jesus's name I pray, amen.