In the first chapter of the Hebrew Bible, it says that “God created man in His image.” In Hebrew, this is written as tzelem Elohim, and some rabbinical interpretations hold that humans can function as icons that draw God’s presence into the world—similar to the murtis in Hinduism.
Source: https://rumble.com/v7enseu-free-will-and-the-gift-of-human-incarnation.html
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Christianity builds on this foundation, teaching that every person has high value and the potential for transformation through Christ.
According to the Bible, humans are made in the image of God, are given free will, and possess the ability to bring new human life into the world. Because these gifts are not shared with the angels, the angels hold an intense interest in human salvation. Biblical scripture speaks of a deep, reverent desire of the angels to understand God’s plan of salvation. The New Testament also suggests that, through Christ, God elevated humanity to a special, redemptive relationship that the angels do not share.
The Zoroastrian scripture of ancient Iran says that while the supreme God is formless and cannot be represented by a physical image, “His material sign is the righteous man.” This means that a human being who lives righteously functions as a living symbol of God on earth.
According to ancient Yoga teachings, human birth is an incredibly rare and auspicious opportunity because being human provides a unique chance for spiritual liberation that is unavailable to other beings. The primary reasons are human self-awareness and free will. Only a human can make the conscious choice to break free from the endless cycle of birth and death.
The human is uniquely considered the “Karma Yoni”—the only state of existence where one has the conscious will and intelligence to perform actions that can free them from the cycle of illusion. All other life forms, including animals and even celestial gods, are said to be in the “Bhog Yoni” states of existence where one only experiences the results of past actions and lacks the ability to make new spiritual choices. Like the angels of the Bible, these celestial gods are envious of human birth. They cannot choose to act against their nature and are bound to the wheels of cause and effect. They have no power to change their destiny.
Human life is seen as the singular gateway to liberation, making it the most precious and significant of all births. While being born human is the first great fortune, the rarest fortune is when a human becomes aware of the soul’s existence and begins to consciously align their life with its deeper purpose. Obtaining a human birth is like finding a rare jewel, but to know your soul and pursue its liberation is to realize its true priceless value.
In the Yoga tradition, this is called vichara shakti—the power of discrimination and conscious choice. Unlike the animal or the god, a human can look at any situation and ask, “Is this right or wrong? Will this lead me toward freedom or toward more suffering?” A human can choose to act against their own instincts, habits, and programming. This is the essence of spiritual practice: one can choose to forgive, seek revenge, become disciplined, or be lazy. Without free will, you are like a leaf being carried down a river, going wherever the current takes you.
Because of this free will, human life is described as a double-edged sword. The same free will that allows you to transcend also allows you to fall deeper into ignorance. You are completely free to waste your precious life on greed, anger, and sensory pleasure.
Free will alone is not enough; self-awareness is essential. You have to know that you have a soul and know that your choices have spiritual consequences. This awareness is what transforms ordinary free will into the power of transcendence. According to these ancient traditions, the deliberate choice to align your life with your highest spiritual purpose is what breaks the cycle of reincarnation and liberates the soul from samsara—the ongoing illusory cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
[Via: gregreese.substack.com]