Topical Bible: Uprightness: God Created Man In

◄ Uprightness: God Created Man In ►

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Definition and Meaning:
Uprightness refers to the state of moral integrity, righteousness, and adherence to ethical principles. In the biblical context, it signifies living in accordance with God's standards and commands. The concept of uprightness is deeply rooted in the creation narrative, where God fashioned humanity in His own image, endowing them with an inherent sense of righteousness and moral clarity.

Biblical Foundation:
The Bible presents the creation of man as an act of divine intention and purpose. In Genesis 1:26-27 , it is written: "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.' So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." This passage underscores the unique position of humanity in creation, reflecting God's own character, including His uprightness.

The Nature of Uprightness in Creation:
The creation of man in God's image implies an original state of uprightness. Ecclesiastes 7:29 states, "Only this have I found: I have discovered that God made men upright, but they have sought out many schemes." This verse highlights the initial moral purity and righteousness with which humanity was endowed, contrasting it with the subsequent fall into sin and moral deviation.

Uprightness and the Fall:
The narrative of the Fall in Genesis 3 illustrates the departure from this original state of uprightness. Adam and Eve's disobedience introduced sin into the world, distorting the moral and spiritual integrity with which they were created. Despite this fall, the concept of uprightness remains a divine standard to which humanity is called to return.

Restoration through Christ:
The New Testament reveals that through Jesus Christ, the possibility of restored uprightness is offered to humanity. Romans 5:19 declares, "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous." This righteousness, or uprightness, is not achieved through human effort but is a gift of grace through faith in Christ.

Practical Implications:
Believers are called to live in uprightness as a reflection of their restored relationship with God. Proverbs 11:3 states, "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them." This verse emphasizes the guiding role of uprightness in the life of a believer, leading to ethical living and moral decision-making.

Conclusion:
The biblical concept of uprightness is foundational to understanding humanity's original state and the divine intention for moral integrity. While the Fall disrupted this state, the redemptive work of Christ offers a path back to uprightness, calling believers to live in accordance with God's righteous standards.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ecclesiastes 7:29
See, this only have I found, that God has made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Creation 0F Man
... sweet heat and warmness of holiness and uprightness in the ... proportion and visage
of it, that is, God's image! ... and for this end he hath created Christ according ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xix of the creation.htm

The Likeness of God
... simple righteousness of God, which is created in justice ... are persons of good
common-sense, uprightness, and truthfulness ... business in the world where God has put ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xxiv the likeness of god.htm

The Destiny of Man
... it was fitting that man should be created, in the ... that he could either continue in
that uprightness"though not ... of these two man had chosen, God's will would ...
/.../augustine/handbook on faith hope and love/chapter xxviii the destiny of.htm

The Theology of Grace.
... God created man upright, and endowed him with human faculties, including free will;
[144] and ... freely that grace by which he was able to retain his uprightness. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/iv the theology of grace.htm

Letter Li. From Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis, in Cyprus, to John ...
... to Him to know in what respect man is created in His ... A man of your uprightness should
be careful to remove an ... to me, but who now sorely needs God's pity"for ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter li from epiphanius bishop.htm

Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity Duty to New and Old Man.
... spirits and monastic saints, who base their holiness and uprightness solely on an ...
should strive to be found in this new man created after God; not in ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/nineteenth sunday after trinity duty.htm

On the Vanity of those who Wished to Escape the Omnipotent God.
... themselves from Thy gentleness, and stumbling against Thine uprightness, and falling
upon ... 23). So again, he says, God would never have created angels or ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter ii on the vanity of.htm

That Everything which the Grace of God Does in the Way of Rescuing ...
... the exercise of free will, continued steadfast in the uprightness in which it was
created. ... blessedness it would not continue at peace with God; and this ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 15 that everything which the.htm

Of the First Covenant Made with Man
... The state wherein man was created at first, you ... consider, what a beautiful rectitude
and uprightness, what a ... will and affections wonderfully good "God made man ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xxi of the first.htm

"For what the Law could not Do, in that it was Weak through the ...
... obedience, or man now fallen from uprightness, could satisfy ... come to Christ, the
Son of God, through the ... remediless sin, sin incurable by any created power or ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon x for what the.htm