Weekly Devotional 2-1-16 Born in the Image of God
Recently I came across a Face Book posting in which the poster declared that man was made in the image of God and went on to say that in observing all that He had created God declared it good. Both statements of course are correct. We read from Genesis 1:26-27 NKJV; “26Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” We read from verse thirty-one of this same chapter; “Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.” Certainly man was born in the image of God. But, the word “was” is the imperative word. Turning to the inspired words of Paul to the Romans we read; “28And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:28-29 NKJV).
Those who hold that we (mankind) are created in the image of God must take note from Paul’s words that those whom God has called to Himself are being conformed into the image of His Son. One does not need to be conformed to that which he already is. Which would be the case if he was previously in the image of God. Adam (man’s federal head) was drastically changed when he disobeyed God necessitating God’s work of transformation. The potential remained in Adam. That is, he was still a spiritual being (the link between God and man), but he became spiritually separated from God. In that separation communication was impaired, at least in his ability to hear and understand God. In separation from God Adam became subject to a nature of self will and desire. He became a man of his own image. God was still good, but Adam was no longer good and we learn from Romans 5:18a and 19a that this nature (Adam’s nature) passes to all of his offspring. “18aTherefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation…19a For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners” (NKJV).
God, however, desires that man be restored to His image and the goodness in which he was created. He is at work assuring that His desire becomes reality. Reading from the entire text of Romans 5:12-19 NKJV we learn “12Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13(For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”
The sacrifice and mediation of Jesus Christ made it possible for God to restore those who come to Him in faith to that perfect image of God. When that work is completed it can be said that we are reborn in the image of God. Jesus Himself testified that one must be born again spiritually before that work begins or can eventually be completed. Consider: “3Jesus answered and said to him (Nicodemus and indirectly us), “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God….5Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:3; 5 NKJV).
One’s identification of being in the image of God is linked to his spirituality and unless he is reborn spiritually that true image cannot be renewed. But thank God He is accomplishing this in those He rebirths to spiritual life.
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man
Evangelical Free Church www.efreebible