Believing the Truth: Humanity

Hi, I’m David Feddes, and this talk is about humanity.

Christian Leaders College and Institute, in its Statement of Faith, says:

• God created humanity to glorify and enjoy God and to be stewards of creation.

• Humanity has fallen into sin and we are totally unable to save ourselves.

Those are the two great facts about humanity:

1. How great God designed us to be.

2. How terribly we have fallen into misery.

Humanity Created for God’s Glory

The Bible says: “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

In the last book of the Bible, the hosts of heaven say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things.”

Everything God made is designed to give Him splendor and glory. The stars, the animals, the beauty of the skies, waterfalls, and mountains all display God’s greatness. But humanity especially has been created to show God’s glory—because we are made in His image.

Humanity Created to Enjoy God

The Bible says: “You give them to drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light, we see light.”

We were made to live on God, to delight in God. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

Humans are designed for joy—not just any joy, but joy in God. We were made to feast on God, to belong to Him, to know Him, and to walk with Him.

Humanity in God’s Image

“God created man in His own image. In the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. Have dominion over all creatures.’”

Psalm 8 echoes this: “You made him ruler over the works of your hands. You placed all things under his feet—the flocks and herds, beasts of the field, birds of the air, fish of the sea. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.”

Being made in God’s image means we reflect Him and carry His authority in relation to creation. Some highlight rationality, love, or relational ability as reflections of God. Those may be dimensions, but the main point of God’s image is that He made us to represent Him and rule creation on His behalf.

We are not kings but stewards. A king has final authority; a steward carries out the king’s authority. We are caretakers of creation, accountable to God.

So the glory of being human is this: to feast on God, enjoy Him, represent Him, and shine with His glory.

Humanity Fallen into Sin

But what a terrible thing it is that humanity has fallen into sin. God said to Adam and Eve: “You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.” They ate, and death came into the world.

“Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin.” Because Adam and Eve sinned, all humanity is involved in their sin. This is sometimes called Original Sin. Their act involved us in guilt, condition, and corruption.

We are like ancient ruins—once splendid, now fallen. We were designed to be glorious, but now we are broken and cannot restore ourselves.

Totally Unable to Save Ourselves

The Bible says: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Think of two people: one in a wheelchair unable to walk, and another a world-class mountain climber reaching Mount Everest. One seems more capable than the other. But if the goal is to reach the moon, does climbing ability matter? No—neither can get there. The difference is irrelevant.

That’s what it means to fall short of God’s glory. However good you may look compared to someone else, you cannot bridge the distance to God.

Another Scripture says: “You were dead in your transgressions and sins. We were by nature children of wrath.”

Dead is dead. You may compare corpses—one fresh and intact, another rotted and mangled. One looks better, but both are dead. Spiritually, that’s humanity. Once fallen into sin, we cannot make ourselves alive again. We must be born again, given life from above.

Humanity’s Need for a Savior

So, all fall short of the glory of God. All are dead in sin. We cannot cover the distance, undo the deadness, or save ourselves.

If you want to get from earth to the moon, you don’t need climbing lessons—you need a rocket. If you’re dead, you don’t need to look like a prettier corpse—you need resurrection life.

That’s why we need a Savior.

Conclusion

At Christian Leaders College and Institute, our doctrine of humanity confesses:

• God created humanity glorious—to glorify and enjoy Him and to be stewards of creation.

• Humanity has fallen into sin and is totally unable to save itself