# 62 The Restoration of Man

The Book of Genesis Day 62 Ge 5:1 This is the book of the genealogy of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created. Several things stand out to me as I read this genealogy. First of all. I like the review we get in the first two verses. We have the reminder that Adam was created by God in the likeness of God! This is the way we were meant to be, and we were, until sin came into the world. This “likeness” of God, is what Jesus Christ came to earth to restore! Eph 4:24 reminds us of this fact: “ and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” With the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, we are enabled to put on the new man that was created according to God , in true righteousness and holiness! How do we do that? We do it through baptism! Ro 6:4,5 says, “ Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,” Did you notice the word “likeness” shows up twice here? This “likeness” speaks of the original created condition of man! Speaking about baptism in the Book of Colossians, we read in Col 3:10, “and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,” In baptism, we put on Christ, and the faith that receives the promise of what God delivers in baptism, is confirmed. Col 2:12 says, “buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” Baptism: “Faith in the working of God,” It’s something He commands us to do, but He then does something for us through it! Those who believe (endure in the faith) and are baptized will be saved, but those who believe not (do not endure in their God-given faith (baptized or not) will be damned, (Mr 16:16) On Judgement Day, when all will stand before God and be judged, it is those who believe and have put on Christ, who will be saved. God will look at the baptized believer and see the likeness of Christ, (the likeness of the original sinless Adam. Paradise restored! Reflect: Have you ever tried to restore furniture? Describe the process. Who will notice the slightest imperfection on a furniture restoration project. How important is it then to stand before God, perfectly restored. What must one do to have that kind of standing? Pray: Thank You Lord for the gift of baptism and saving faith. We acknowledge that only You can redeem and restore us through faith and baptism. Help us to endure in that faith until the end!