IN THE IMAGE OF GOD

If the fact that God created, shaped, molded, formed you doesn’t help you recognize your worth, than perhaps the fact that you were created in the IMAGE OF GOD will! I mean, how awesome is that!!! We were created in the image or in the likeness of God, serving as a representation or a reflection of HIM!!! Our likeness to God is what distinguishes us from any other created thing or being.  Yes, all of creation reflects the glory of God, but only man and woman were made in God’s image! So when God made us, He essentially drew us out of Himself, so that our very essence would be just like Him.

Scripture

Genesis 1:27 – So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Lessons Learned

A reflection of Him. What exactly does that mean? During my study of Genesis, my creation story began to make sense. Before I could understand what it meant to reflect God, I first had to understand Who God is (See LIFE Lesson, Know God, Who God Is, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) at www.mazuriministries.org. And as I came to understand the triune nature of God, I then recognized that I then am a reflection of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. And just as God is Three in the essence of One, we too, are not a jumble of parts or pieces, but are a reflection of God in body, soul and spirit (Deuteronomy 6:5, I Thessalonians 5:23). According to Priscilla Shirer in Discerning the Voice of God, we reflect God in our:

  • Body – the material part of me, the part that ages and wears out over time (I Corinthians 15:44, 2 Corinthians 4:16)
  • Soul – my mind, will and emotions; those elements that make me, me. My distinct personality, ambitions, inner uniqueness, and emotional tendencies. My conscience. (Psalm 42:11, Matthew 22:37, 3 John 1:2)
  • Spirit – the true essence of who I am. The part of me that longs for a connection with God. This is what set’s me apart from every other living creation. (Job 32:8, Proverbs 20:27, Ecclesiastes 12:7, Romans 8:16)

Lessons Lived

So how do I live as a manifestation of the triune of God?

  • My manifestation as God the Father (My spirit) – My spirit should be pure, holy, righteous, true, loving, compassionate, gracious, merciful, forgiving and wise
    • I Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19-20, Romans 12:1-2, I Peter 1:13-25, Psalm 51:9-10, James 1:19-20, Colossians 3:5, Philippians 4:8-9, Galatians 2:20, 5:16-26, Ephesians 4:31-32, 5:1-7, Proverbs 21:3, I John 2:15-17, John 8:12, Matthew 6:33 
  • My manifestation as God the Son (My body – my doing, my actions) – My life should speak to the honor and glory of God the Father. I should be serving and meeting the needs of the oppressed, the sick, the brokenhearted, the hopeless, and the lost. I should be spreading hope and love and pointing others to God. 
    • Psalm 72:4, 82:3, Isaiah 1:17, Galatians 6:2, Hebrews 6:10, 13:16, John 15:12, Matthew 5:42, 25:44-45, Proverbs 3:27, 11:25, 19:17, Romans 12:13, Matthew 5:16, 10:8, Philippians 2:4, Luke 3:10-12, 4:18-19, James 2:14-17, Deuteronomy 15:11, Acts 20:35
  • My manifestation as God the Holy Spirit (My soul- my mind, my personality, my emotions) – I should be loving, kind, compassionate, giving, gracious, humble, and disciplined. I should use my gifts, talents, and abilities for kingdom building. I should serve as the mediator between man and Christ – pointing others to Christ. I should serve as a witness, as an intercessor, as one who prophesizes and reveals the things of God to others, I should hold others accountable and guide them, I should help others identify their gifts and talents and direct them for using them for the glory of God, I should encourage and comfort and empower. 
    • I Timothy 6:11-19, Galatians 5:22-23, Philippians 4:8, Romans 5:3-5, Acts 20:28, Ephesians 2:19-22, 4:11-12, 32, James 4:11-12, Romans 12:17-21, 14:1, Galatians 6:1, Matthew 28:18-20, II Corinthians 5:20, Hebrews 12:28, Exodus 35:20-22, I Corinthians 3:9, 14:26, Acts 2:42-47, I John 1:7, John 16:13, Revelation 14:12, Colossians 2:2-3, 3,:13-14, Isaiah 58, 2 Chronicles 30:12, Psalm 132:7, 133:1, Malachi 2:10, John 13:35,  17:23, Romans 12:4-5, 16:18, I Corinthians 1:10, 12:12-13, Galatians 3:26-28, Ephesians 1:10, 4:3, 16,  Hebrews 10:24-25,  Philippians 2:1-2, I Peter 3:8
    • In Him go forth and move, live and have your very being in the image of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Genesis 5:1-2, Acts 17:28)!

Reflections

  1. How does Song of Genesis 1:27 speak to you? What does Genesis 1:27 reveal to you about who you are and how you should live?
  2. How has your image of yourself been shaped by the media, the church, your family, etc. contributed to how you see yourself? 
  3. How does your life as a reflection of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit impact how you think of yourself?
  4. How might your life be different if you were to live as a true image bearer?
  5. What are your personal LIFE Lessons?
    • Liberation: What new insights have you gained that have freed you from past thoughts and/or practices?
    • Inspiration: In what ways have you been spiritually, emotionally and/or mentally motivated to live for Christ?
    • Fortification: What additional scriptural texts, passages or stories can serve to reinforce and strengthen you against the attacks of the enemy?
    • Edification: How might you share your story in order to edify others and bring glory to God?

Playlist

As you process, digest, and apply what’s been shared, here are a couple of songs from my “I Was Created” Playlist. Listen, Let the music infiltrate your soul. Read the lyrics and let the words encourage you. And I pray that you’ll be blessed as I was. 

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I want to be more like You! I want to walk like You, talk like You, think like You! I want to respond to the world with Your gentleness and grace. I want to reign and rule, create, and cultivate under Your authority. So help me remain connected to Thee so that I live as a true image bearer of You!!  In Your most holy name Jesus, I pray, Amen.