In His Likeness

Thank you for coming to read the post today. We will be gaining a deeper understanding of what being created in His likeness means and how that knowledge should impact our lives. Eric

What is your persona? A persona is a combination of the behaviors, emotions, thought patterns and motivations that define us. Your persona is unique to you.

How do others see you? What does your persona reveal to those around you concerning ”who” you are?

What should the persona of a Christian look like? This is going to be the focus of our post today. As always, we will search the Scriptures to discover our answers.

We find in Genesis 1:26,27 and 5:1 that God created man in His image or likeness.

According to Barnes’ Notes on the Bible in regards to man being created in the ‘image’ or ‘likeness’ of God: “Man is a new species, essentially different from all other kinds on earth! In ‘likeness’ indicates there is a resemblance in any quality, external or internal. Figuratively, it denotes not a material but a spiritual conformity to God. God is spirit, He thinks, speaks, wills and acts. Conformity to God in man is seen in that man can reason, has speech, a will and power. By our will we choose, determine, and resolve regarding what is to be done. By power, we act, either giving expression to our concepts in words or effect to our determinations in deeds. In reason, is evolved the distinction of good and evil. In our will is unfolded that freedom of action which chooses the good and refuses the evil. In the spiritual being that exercises ‘reason’ and ’will,’ resides the power to act/ the reason as informing the will and the will as directing power.”

We find that God always has a purpose for everything He does. So, realizing that mankind has been created so uniquely, in His image or likeness - we need to ascertain His purpose for it.

God purposed in Genesis 1:28 that the man and woman whom He made in His image would represent God in this earth, be fruitful and multiply. They were to fill the earth and have dominion over all living things in the earth. Kingdom Dynamics in the NSFLB states that, “Through the man and woman God intended to live and reveal Himself to the world. God, through them, intended to manifest His character and authority, express His dominion over the earth, display His indisputable power over the works of darkness and subdue His archenemy, satan. The first man and woman were a microcosm of the church, signaling that God’s glory would forever be seen in the earth through mankind.”

Does your example of a life lived reflect the nature and attributes of God? Does the way you live your life reveal who God is to those you encounter?

The apostle Paul prayed that the triune God would ‘sanctify’ completely his new converts. ‘Sanctify’ means to purify internally and to be set apart. ‘Completely’ meant in their spirit, soul and body. To be wholly sanctified, our whole being is yielded up to the will of God. (1Thessalonians 5:23)

Prior to Adam’s disobedience in the garden, Adam and Eve were one with God and one with His will. When they disobeyed and chose to go their own way, God set a plan in motion to restore mankind to his original created state. That plan, which restored us to those beings who were one with God and His will, was accomplished by the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

In John 17:20 and 23 Jesus prayed for believers that as He and the Father were one, those who came to God through Him, would be one with Him, in the same way. Unity is a vital component of faith.

1 Peter 5:10 expresses a wonderful truth! “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” God called (invited) us to be a part of His everlasting glory! ‘Glory’ doxa in the Greek, is the state of blessedness into which believers are to enter hereafter through being brought into the likeness of Christ!

For those God knew beforehand would accept Christ, God decreed from eternity that they would be conformed to the image of Christ.

We understand through the knowledge of His Word that our being transformed into His image is a process. 2 Corinthians 3:18, “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

The five-fold ministry was given to the church to help believers in their journey of becoming like Jesus. Ephesians 4:11-15, “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

An apostle is one who is sent with orders from God. A prophet is an interpreter or spokesman for God; one through whom God speaks. An evangelist is one who brings good tidings (news), the message of salvation. Pastors are shepherds or protectors of the flock. Teachers are instructors who teach the things of God and the duties of man.

In our association and participation with the church, there should be a growth and a change or maturation in our life. Spiritually we are not to remain in a state of infancy. An equipping should take place wherein we would not be easily swayed from the truth of the gospel. This maturity should cause a noticeable difference in our lives. Such as: in our countenance, lifestyle and behaviors. It should also cause there to be a visible difference in the self-image of one who has been put down by the forces of the enemy. The love of God poured out on us should override the lies of the devil that say we are not acceptable or good enough. These are ploys of the enemy to control us and keep us from living a life that would truly reflect the goodness of Whose image we were made in.

We become new creations in Christ, the old is passed away and the new is here. (2 Corinthians 5:17).

As with any type of growth, our being transformed into the image of Christ requires our cooperation. Ephesians 4:22-25, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.“ Take the necessary action today to be conformed to the image of Christ!

Romans 13:14 (NLT), “Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.”

Colossians 3:10 (NLT), “Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.”

As those who are created in His likeness, our life should:

Be representing and revealing the Lord to the world. (Matthew 5:14-16 ESV).

Express that the Lord has dominion over the earth and has given that dominion to His children, (Romans 5:17 ESV).

Express that God has delegated to us authority and His indisputable power over the works of darkness. (! John 3:8b).

The great news is, once He has started that good work in us, He will complete it until the day of Christ. (Philippians 1:6)

Next time, we will examine what ‘being in His image’ looks like.

Unless noted otherwise the Scriptures are from the New International Version.

NSFLB New Spirit Filled Life Bible

NLT New Living Translation

ESV English Standard Version