The rejection of God's sovereignty is not comparable to any human experience. Consider the situation. (1) God made human life in His likeness and image. [Since God is not physical, His image and likeness is not seen in some aspect or dimension of physical form. His image and likeness likely are associated in some way with the freedom and independence He provided people.] (2) That which God made, that which existed because of God's initiative and act, defied God. [The human arrogance that defied God's sovereignty (a) believed God exaggerated the consequences of defiance and (b) believed God's forbidding people to have the knowledge of good and evil deprived people of desirable information (3:3)].

To us, in human experiences, that situation is unthinkable. We do not think in terms of something we made consciously, deliberately rejecting us. The fact that the creature rejected the Creator gives testimony to the absolute freedom and independence God gave the human. The fact that people could defy God's sovereignty [not even chaos did that!] states just how free and independent God made people. Amazingly, creatures made in God's image and likeness did something that chaos [which had nothing in common with God] did not do--defy God's sovereignty! Only that which God uniquely created in His image and likeness had the arrogance to defy God! We, who are made like God, wanted to be God!

People are unique! By God's design and intent we are unique. God did something in making us that He did not do in making anything else. God placed His image and likeness in us. As originally formed, we were so unique that our rejection of God's sovereignty perverted God's entire physical creation.

Human rejection of God's sovereignty gave evil permission to assume permanent residence in this sphere of existence. Evil defies God. Evil refuses to yield to God's sovereignty. When humanity chose evil over God, human existence joined evil in defying God's sovereignty.

As human generations passed, God's influence on people weakened as evil's influence on people strengthened. Cain killed his brother and refused to accept any personal responsibility for his evil act. When confronted regarding his murder, Cain thought only of himself. In no way did he reflect a penitent attitude or thought.

To the writer, this turning away from God toward evil is symbolized by the "sons of God" marrying the "daughters of men" (Genesis 6:1,2). Neither Cain nor his descendants wanted any association with God (Genesis 4:16-24). Cain deliberately "went out from the presence of the Lord" (Genesis 4:16). His descendants, like him, wanted no association with God.

In total contrast, the descendants of Seth "began to call upon the name of the Lord" (Genesis 4:26). They wanted association with God.

Marriages between those who desired association with God and those who wanted nothing to do with God resulted in weakening the human desire to "call upon the name of the Lord." The descendants of these marriages were in conflict with God's Spirit (Genesis 6:3). The situation deteriorated to the point that human wickedness "was great on the earth." God's influence became non-existent. People moved so far from God's influence that "every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5).

This situation caused God great pain. We cannot even imagine the disappointment God felt when His influence was completely rejected by the only part of His creation made in His image and likeness He was sorry He created people. He was grieved in His heart (Genesis 6:6). Evil seemed to be the exclusive influence in human life.

Sharing and Thought Questions

1. From your understanding and view point, describe a man or woman who is genuinely, completely devoted to God.

2. From your understanding and view point, describe a man or woman who is genuinely, completely devoted to evil.

3. Read James 1:13 and 1 Peter 1:14-16. What understandings are basic to honoring God?

4. Read Proverbs 6:16-19. What attitudes and behaviors despise God?

5. In your understanding, what human attitudes and emotions honor God?

6. In your understanding, what human attitudes and emotions grieve God?

7. What attitude do you understand to be essential if we unholy people are to honor and exalt the holy God?

For personal reflection

1. By attitude we are speaking of a view that lives in our hearts and expresses itself in our lives. What attitude that is a living part of you best honors God?

2. What attitude that is a living part of you most grieves God?

3. If you could change anything about your inner self, what would you change? Why?

4. If you could change anything about your attitudes, what would you change? Why?

5. If you could change anything about your behavior, what would you change? Why?

6. If you could change anything about the way you interact with other people, what would you change? Why?

Link to Teacher's Guide Lesson 2

Copyright © 2003
David Chadwell & West-Ark Church of Christ

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