Genesis 1:26-27, 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
So, there you have it, the Bible clearly says the we humans are made in God’s image, so we must be. Not so fast friends. It’s crucial to understand that this portion of Scripture was written BEFORE Adam and Eve fell into sin and distorted and marred this given image. Adam and Eve’s sin (just as everyone’s sins) separated them from God. Therefore, in most ways separated also is this shared image with God. Plainly put, humanity in our fallen, unregenerate condition is not able to respond as God would because they are dead in trespasses and sin (Eph. 2:1). Not to mention the fact that an unredeemed person is an enemy of God (James 4:4), and enemies are enemies simply because they do not see eye to eye, nor agree with each other. If this be the case, how could we possibly share the same image as God? Outside of Christ, we can’t and we’ll see that as we move on.
It’s also important to understand that in Genesis Chapter 1, as God details the creation account, verses 26-27 are the first and only time He uses personal pronouns when speaking of mankind. Which in the Hebrew construction of the text, image and likeness means: the ability to have, share in, and maintain relationships. Just as the council of the trinity (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit) share in the holiest of communion with the deepest honor and love for each other, so also did God give humanity this ability to have human relationships. Every couple naturally wants to give love and be loved. Every child wants to be loved and cherished by their parents. So then, the image of God is focused on relationships, both with others and with God. However, because ALL have sinned (Rom. 3:23) our relationship with God has been severed, and must be restored, and that’s where the gospel of Jesus Christ comes into play. Without Christ’s atoning blood on the cross, there is simply no true fellowship with God because there is no like-mindedness, because the unsaved cannot bear His image while living in sin. For God is relational in His very character, a Father to all His adopted children who are in Christ. So, how can one be restored to right relationship and standing with God?
Isaiah 59:1-4, 1Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;
2 but your iniquities have made a separation
between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden his face from you
so that he does not hear.
3 For your hands are defiled with blood
and your fingers with iniquity;
your lips have spoken lies;
your tongue mutters wickedness.
4 No one enters suit justly;
no one goes to law honestly;
they rely on empty pleas, they speak lies,
they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 8:28-30, 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Notice in verse 29 it reads, to be conformed to the image of His Son. The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus is the second person of the Godhead, and God Himself. How then must we be conformed to His image, if we already bear His image? That would make no sense unless, in sin we do indeed lose the image of God.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18, 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we (Christians) 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.
Again, why would we need to be transformed into an image we already possess?
2 Corinthians 4:4-6, 4 In their (unbelievers) case the god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
In this passage, Jesus is seen as the full image of God and God Himself. That He truly is the sinless Son of God. There is no need for Him to be conformed, transformed, or a need for Him to put on the new self, because as He stands, He is the full image of thee invisible God (Col. 1:15). This passage is quite different than the other passages referring to sinful humanity.
Ephesians 4:24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Colossians 3:5-10, 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you (Christians) too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
Yet again, if we already possess the likeness of God, why would we need to put on a new self?
Adam and Eve were created perfect, and truly bore the image of God, before they fell into sin, and gave that image up. After sinning, that image was heavily marred and they no longer enjoyed a close intimate relationship with God. And ever since that day, in grace, God has been restoring His people and marking them once again as image bearers as He calling fallen sinners to repentance. If in faith, they would look to the perfect image of God in the face of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of their lives. For it is the cross of Christ that brings restoration and renewal of the image that had been lost. So then, do you belong to Christ? Are you a true image bearer of God?
By: Daniel C. Rodgers