The bible says God created man in his own image, Genesis 1:27. In verse 5:1, it says we were created in God’s likeness. None of God’s creation was created in God’s image except mankind. Although mankind was created a little lower than the angels, yet God did not create the angels in his image or his likeness, Hebrew 2:7, 9. This rare privilege puts man in a very unique position in God’s whole creation. What then was God’s purpose for mankind in this unique position?
Origin of God’s image
God breathed into Adam’s nostrils and Adam became a living soul, Genesis 2:7. The breath is God’s spirit and it is life. It is his presence in us and it guides us to attain righteousness from sin through Christ Jesus and his blood shed for us. It brings us into perfect union with God and it leads us in prayer in accordance with God’s will and purpose for us, Acts 2:4; 1 Corinthians 12:8. Therefore those who reject God and his only begotten son our Lord and Saviour have no life. We have no life in us without Jesus, John 6:53. We can only reflect God’s image with God’s spirit of life, liberty and truth when it is refreshed in us.
What is God’s image?
God’s image is light, 1 John 1:5; Revelation 21:23. He wants us to reflect his image of light as the light of the world, Matthew 5:14. God’s image is holiness and righteousness. 1 Peter 1:16 says you shall be holy, for I am holy. Jesus wants us to seek first his kingdom and righteousness before any other thing, Matthew 6:33. God’s image is righteousness, John 17:25; 2 Corinthians 9:9; Ephesians 4:24.
God abolished death through Jesus Christ and brought life and immortality to light, 2 Timothy 1:10. He therefore wants us to have eternal life also just like him, 2 Corinthians 4:17; Matthew 19:29; Mark 10:30; John 3:15-16; 6:68; 10:28; 17:2-3. God is love, Romans 5:8, John 3:16. Love surpasses all things therefore he wants us to love one another, John 15:12, 17; 13:34; 1 John 4:7, 11-12. God’s nature is to forgive and we must reflect same, Ephesians 4:2. Love knows no grudge, complaint, social status or race. Love knows no barriers. Its magnitude is measured by the heart before God. It is greater than all gifts.
God’s spirit is humility and obedience and he wants us to reflect same. Jesus taught his disciples to say when they pray, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, Matthew 6:10. Humility and obedience are virtues which God recognizes and rewards, 1 Samuel 15:22. He humbles the proud, Luke 1:51. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble, James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5. Is God’s image truly and visibly reflected in us without hypocrisy or deceit for God knows all hearts, Acts 1:24, 1 Corinthians 28:9. To reflect God’s image, we must be led by the spirit of God as his sons, Romans 8:14.
Purpose of God’s image
God wanted us to be his companion. God found such companionship with Abraham, James 2:23 and Moses, Exodus 33: 11. Jesus said that you are my friends if you do what I command you and that we are no longer servants but friends, John 15:14-15. Paul also said under divine inspiration and revelation that through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir, Galatians 4:7. Jesus sought to reiterate this fact of God’s purpose for us.
God crowned us with glory and honour, Hebrews 2:7-9. Such did Jesus become when he wore the image of man so that because of the suffering of death, he may taste death for everyone. We can only reflect God’s image when we have and maintain a pure heart before God. A good heart reflects good character just as a perverse heart reflects a sinful character. Jesus said, a good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit, Matthew 12:33; Luke 6:44. It is not surprising that Jesus said, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, Luke 6:45.
God gave us dominion over his creation, Genesis 1:26, 28. He gave man the authority to subdue the earth. In re emphasising this authority, Jesus said if you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask what you want and it shall be done for you, John 15:7. We can exercise this authority to God’s glory and honour only when we abide in Christ Jesus. Upon our failure to do so, we dishonour God and his glory and we will face dire consequences. We must therefore exercise this authority with divine wisdom.
Even non living things such as the dead, the wind and sea obeyed Jesus at his command, Matthew 8:26-27; Mark 4:39-41. All spirits are subject to his command. All creation obeys Jesus’ authority, Matthew 3:9; 4:3; Luke 3:8; 4:3. Jesus commanded the fig tree to be withered from its roots and it was immediately done, Matthew 21:19; Mark 11:20. Jesus said we can do likewise in Matthew 21:21. With faith, we can move mountains because they have ears, Matthew 17:20; Mark 11:23.
God wanted us to build and not to destroy. Because every man has God’s spirit dwelling in him, any evil or good which is done to God’s creation is equally done to God. We must reflect kindness, Matthew 10:42; not lead others to sin, Matthew 18:6; not despise others, Mark 9:42; Matthew 18:10. God has given us our free will to exercise because we have his image. We must therefore handle it with diligence. We must be faithful with God’s image. Jesus said he who is faithful in very little is faithful also in much, and he who is dishonest in very little is dishonest also in much, Luke 16:10. Are we exercising God’s image to his glory and honour? We will face the consequences upon abusing God’s image.
Prayer
Lord God Almighty, let us reflect your image on earth as you intended for mankind that your name may be glorified and honoured through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, Amen!!
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