January 26, 2009

In the Image of God

“Then 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.’ So God created man in His [own] image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” (Genesis 1:26-28 NKJV)

With the understanding of how man was created in the image of God comes a better understanding of God. He placed within man the knowledge of God. While this knowledge is not able to save man, it does make his rejection of God inexcusable (Rom 1.18-20).

Additionally, the image of God is a constant reminder of God’s nature. While men suppress this truth, it cannot be completely suppressed unless God gives them over to a depraved mind (Rom 1.28). Even at this point, the basic knowledge of God seems still to reside in man as it can be seen in his hatred of God and God’s people.

This image seems to consist of at least three things: In His nature, as man is a living soul unique in creation; In His authority, as man is given dominion over all other created things; and in His moral righteousness, as man was in the pre-fall state.

Our uniqueness gives us some understanding of God’s uniqueness.  Our dominion reminds us of God’s dominion. Our sense of righteousness, now unrighteousness, helps us to understand God’s righteousness. Of course, all of these things have been corrupted by sin, but the lingering affect is still a shadow of our Creator.

“This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:17-24 NKJV) Amen.