What is the Image of God?

Better yet, how am I made in it?

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Looking into God’s Mirror

Granted, we can never really look into the mirror the way God would, even if He were a corporeal being, the way Jesus did during the short three decades He walked the Earth. He is too mighty. Too Holy. He basically said so Himself when telling Moses that he could not look upon His face without dying.

“And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.” (Exodus 33:20, KJV)

However, from the beginning of creation, we are told that we are created in His image, in the very first chapter of the Bible, when God created man and formed him in the very image and likeness of Himself! Created in His likeness, yet forbidden to look directly at Him. Seems almost paradoxical, yet not quite. Here is why.

In His image and likeness does not say that man looked like God. Adam, you and I, as children of Adam, are not clones of the Almighty. We are, however, created with characteristics of His, much like your children may have your hair or eye color, or genetic markers determining their height and other things.

God took the most precious part of Himself and put it in all of us.

Since there was no somatic aspect of God, the aspect(s) imparted on Adam were the pure, unadulterated, holy spiritual parts that would be in total communion with the Almighty until the fall. God would instill in His most loved creation a piece of Himself that was reserved for fellowship only with those most dear.

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The image we project today is up to us.

God created man in His image. The soul of man was pure, and life could have gone on for all eternity if not for the fall that occurred in Genesis 3. Granted, had it not happened at that specific moment, it is my guess that it would have happened sooner rather than later. Whether Eve and a serpent or Adam and a toad is neither here nor there; the temptation would have sent mankind spiraling into the sinful world we live in today. If you or I ever think, “That would never happen to me”, think again. It would. In fact, it has.

The image we project today is dependent on how we live as Christians. Does your light shine when you enter a room? Can people see that a follower of Jesus Christ is present? Not because you are wearing a “WWJD” bracelet or a graphic tee with a catchy slogan. Not because you have the biggest leather Bible money can buy under your arm. No! Do people see Jesus Christ in your walk, talk, and manner?

If they do and it is genuine, the image of Christ shines through. If they can’t see it, ask yourself why they can’t. Are you just skating by? Are you harboring unconfessed sin, or holding back on ungodly thoughts or behaviors that you just don’t want to surrender?

It is never too late to change

Perhaps one of the most powerful accounts of conversion in the Bible is in Luke 23:39–43, when the thieves being crucified with Jesus are mocking Him until one of them realizes that in his sin, he deserves to die, while an innocent man, the Son of God Himself, is being unjustly executed as well. It is in that moment that he confesses that he deserves all that he is getting and only asks Jesus to “remember me…”

This man had no time to change the way he lived. He could only repent and change his heart. You and I, on the other hand, have whatever time God gives us left to live for Him.

I implore you today to take time to examine yourself. Is the image you give off to others, as well as the image in your heart, one that glorifies God? Is it one that He would look at and smile upon? If it is, ask yourself how you can improve upon it and share it with others for God’s glory. If, on the other hand, you see tarnish that needs removing, dents that need repairing, or trash that needs to be taken out, spend time humbly before the throne of the Almighty and forgiving God today. Let your image reflect that which would bring Him honor.

A very sincere thank you to my dear friend, assistant, and Christian sister, Maria

Living Faith by James M. Dakis is a Christian writing ministry that shares devotional teachings and faith-based fiction for anyone seeking to grow in Christ. Whether you are already a Christian or have questions about your faith, I would love to talk with you. Comment here or reach out to me personally.