What makes us superior to the animals?

What separates us from the animals? The evolutionist will probably say nothing, but deep within I suspect that most people feel themselves to be superior to the animals. But why are we superior? Is it because we are smarter, stronger or more lovable?

There are many animals, that in their sphere of living, show great intelligence and I don’t think there are any humans that could claim to be stronger than an angry elephant.

Some might say that it is the ability of free will that makes us different, but I had a cat some years ago and I quickly learned that cats have free will. But what is it then that makes the human race to superior to the animals? After all we are not living on a planet controlled by apes (but the film was good).

When God created man it says that man was created in the image of God; a privilege not even the angles can claim. I don’t believe that this means that we are gods. Just because I was birthed by my mother doesn't mean that I am my mother. But it means that I have some of my parents nature in me. That we are children of God does not mean that we are gods, but it does mean that we have some of Gods nature in us.

Physically we are maybe not more than animals, but when God created Adam it says that God “…breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul”. This is not written of any other creature. What makes man different from the animals is the breath of God.

What does that mean?
But what does it mean to have the breath of God? I’m sure I don’t fully understand this, and I will not try to cover everything I think I know in this article, but I would like to cover one of the aspect that makes humans superior – and it’s the ability to take responsibility for our own destiny.

Some Christians might argue with me on this point (like the Calvinist), because many Christians live under the illusion that God controls everything that happens. Now you’re maybe thinking: “WHAT?! this is hearsay …of course God controls everything!”

I do believe that God is in full control, and that there is nothing we can do that will surprise Him. I also believe that God is almighty and could control everything. But being able to control everything does not automatically mean that you have to control everything.

I believe that God have made certain law, both physical and spiritual, and I believe that God works through the laws He has created – and I believe that we can invite God in to our lives when there are changes that need to be made. But everything in this universe functions according to laws and I believe that God made these laws.

I also believe that God has revealed these laws to us in his word, because He wants us to profit from knowing them. “As a man sows, so shall he reap…” is one of these laws God has revealed to us in His word. “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he…” is another one.

Some might get nervous at these thoughts because they feel this elevate man to high and diminishes Gods sovereign control, but nothing could be further from the truth. God is the one who made this laws and He is not challenged just because people choose to use them.

You have the ability to choose your destiny
Some people feel their life is out of control and passively they sit and watch things around them crumble. As one thing after another goes wrong they cry out to God “God! why are you doing this to me?” Not knowing that it’s not God who is making things in their life crumble.

Jesus said that He was the perfect image of God, and that He came to give us life more abundantly. That’s why He has revealed His plans for you in His word; and given you the ability to choose His way.

God want’s you to take responsibility for your life, and in His word He has shown us how to live so that we can enjoy the life He has for us.

When Jesus told the parable of the different talents, we see that the master was not pleased with the servant that had no initiative. But the servants that had taken responsibility for what they had been given got rewarded according to their initiative.

So use your God-given ability today and take control of your life. Use the laws God has created and start to reign in life with Christ. You are a son and a daughter of the most high God, and you can live as a son or a daughter of the most high.