NIL - Name, Image & Likeness - 2 of 3

Image. We are made in the image of God. This is not a readily easy concept to understand. The only physical sightings that anyone has of God are His son Jesus - 2000 years ago. Being made in the “image” of God means that we were made to resemble God. This seems confusing because “God is spirit” and therefore exists without a body. How could we be made in His image?

On the last day of creation, God said in Genesis 1:26, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.” What this means is that he is distinguishing humanity from the other parts of his creation. Unlike the rest of the material earth and animals, humanity has both a material body and an immaterial soul/spirit.

Our likeness to God refers to the immaterial or spiritual part of humanity. It sets humans apart from the animal world. God gave us dominion over the earth and enables us to have a relationship with Him. No other part of His creation has that. The likeness to Him is mentally, morally, and socially.

Mentally, human beings are able to reason and choose. This reflects God’s intellect and freedom. Being made in God’s image gives us freedom to make free choices. Although they were given a righteous nature, Adam and Eve made an evil choice to rebel against their Creator. In so doing, they marred the image of God within themselves, and passed that damaged likeness on to all their descendants. Today, we still bear the image of God, but we also bear the scars of sin.

Morally, humanity was created in righteousness and innocence, a reflection of God’s holiness. God saw all He had made and called it “very good”. Our conscience (moral compass) is a legacy of that original state.

Socially, humanity was created for community. This exists on two levels - fellowship with God and with others. The Christian life is intended to be lived in fellowship with both God and His people.

We are now in a fallen state in need of a Savior. The good news is that when God redeems us, He begins to restore in us the original image of God. Scripture tells us that we put on the new self, created in God’ image.

Ephesians 4:22-24 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Stay Hungry,

Big E

Matt. 5:6