May 4, 2021 – Reflections on “Image-Bearers!”

Such a glorious thought, that we are created in the image of God. The God who prepared the Heavens and the Earth, and filled the land with animals, and the sea with swimming creatures prepared for us to live on this earth. The God whose breath we have in our lungs, the God created Light.

When a new baby is born, we look for his or her likeness to parents. Do we look at the heart?

We cannot see the outward form of God, but we see how He loves. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:1-2.

He prepared a place for us to live by speaking the creation of the heavens and the earth and all living beings into being. He prepared all manner of food as well. And on the sixth day — God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them.

         He created us for the relationship that expresses the Love our Lord God has for us, first to Him, and then for all His people that came after the First Man and Woman He created. We were made to know, to love, and be in constant communication with our Lord God. And to love one another, for God created all humans to be His Children.

As an image-bearer of our Lord God means we reflect His values, His character, and His priorities. The verse Jesus, God’s Own Son, taught on the Sermon on the Mount gives us what is a priority in our lives. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:33-34.

 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15.

This is beginning to understand the values God the Father and God the Son, Jesus finds pleasing behavior for an Ambassador of our Lord. This portion ends with verse 17: And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

The world would have you believe differently. We may say, I’m in the world to get all I can get, or ask, What’s in it for me? We are not placed on earth for self, but for a relationship with our Lord God. He comes first.

What happens when we follow the commandment Love One Another? We will find ourselves being transformed into truly becoming the image of God by transforming me into the image of Christ. And then we can enjoy the fellowship of Jesus and God the Father in our lives.  Even though we inherited sin that threatens to corrupt us, and destroy the image of God in me, through faith in Christ I am redeemed. I have my identity restored in Jesus.

Then we will say, For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth. Job 19:25.

When does this New Life begin? For the man Jesus cured of Leprosy, who had to shout ‘unclean’ when anyone approached. And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, He stretched out His hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” Mark 1:40-41.

          But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become  children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13.

Our New Life begins on earth when we believe and place our Jesus and His Love first.  We learn to abide in His Glory and Grace.

A Child of the God is Love. There are no words that can express the utter gloriousness of being in the protection of our Lord God. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2.

But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. II Corinthians 3:16-18.

And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:13-14. When the Children of Israel were cornered against the Red Sea and the approaching Egyptian soldiers bent on annihilating them, this is the message Moses gave them. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.

We often want to take over for God, forgetting that our Lord God’s wisdom. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. I John 4:7.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6.