[Part One]
“Created in the image of God” is arguably the most sophisticated concept anyone can encounter in the Bible.
What does it mean ‘to be created in the image of’ The Almighty God; Bread of Life; Divine; I Am; The Alpha and Omega; Rose of Sharon; Truth; Word; Very God; Yahweh; Master; Highest Priest; Eternal; Elohim; Creator; Chief Cornerstone; ad finitum?
First, it could mean man’s intrinsic nature and character reflect Godliness. Hence, the idea of a “fallen man” makes a clear distiction between the original, God’s-creation; and the corrupt, evil and fallen man, Satan’s imitation.
Clearly, fallen man does not represent the image of God the Father Son and Holy Spirit. Alluding to this, in answering a bewildered Nicodemus Jesus responds; thus, “Verily, verily I say unto thee, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3 KJV
It is obvious from the above that the Fall included man loosing power of sight, which can only be restored through a radical renewal and tranformative process involving Justufication, Sanctification, and Redemption (JSR) for him to be able to see his perfect image again.
Relatedly, is the notion of taking your cross and following Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. With the righteous declaration that “I Am the way and the truth and the life,” (John 14:6) read together with “No one comes to the Father except through me,” the path to man’s restoration in the image of God is predetermined.
The implication is, worldly notions such as ‘seeking the truth’ or the ‘purpose of life’ are hollow lies of our “adversary the devil, [who like] as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8 KJV). Therefore, “be sober, be vigilant” (ibid.).
Secondly, it can mean that man is supposed to have chemistry with God. Hence the Levitical command, “… ye shall be holy; for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44).
Acknowledgement: First published by the author in the Truth and Be Set Free Indeed Series.
To be continued ….. [Part Two]