In the Image of God
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:27
Most Christians have read this verse many times, but have we taken the time to really think and meditate on what it means that we are created in the image of God? God designed us to live in His image, and how is our life affected when we live the way we are designed? How much better does anything work when it is operated according to the way it was designed?
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (Romans 8:29) All those who accept Christ as their Lord and Savior are predestined to conform to the image of Jesus. If we live in the image of God, then people will see Jesus in us. How do we become a person like Jesus?
“Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16) Our mind is our thoughts and our thoughts come from our spiritual heart. How does God change us from having a worldly heart to having a Godly heart? How can we develop a mind that thinks about God more than a mind that thinks about the world? God must change us, because we can never become a person who reflects the image of God by our own strength and wisdom.
For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (Romans 8:14 NASB) God molds us to conform to the image of his Son by having his Son guide us through the Spirit. It is necessary we know the Word in order to know the language of God, so we can be guided by Christ. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5) We must be guided by Christ so He can mold us. Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. (1 John 2:6)
What changes does the Lord make in us to live as Jesus did? It is our spiritual training that drives us to be like Jesus by doing works guided by the Spirit. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10 NASB) We are not saved by our works, but we are created to do good works. The key is the word “created”, implying we are created in the image of God meaning good works are natural for us with a heart filled with the God’s love, just as they were natural for Jesus.
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:7-8) To conform to the image of Jesus, to live in the image of God; is based on having a heart filled with God’s divine love. With our hearts filled with God’s agape or unconditional love, the Word defines our new Godly personality, and love motivates us to serve the Lord and have a close, dependent relationship with Him. Developing a heart of love is like building a house on a strong foundation. If our love is weak, so is our foundation, making our house unstable. It is the same for our Christian life — weak love means an unstable Christian life.
Today, realize the Christian life is based on knowing Christ and we cannot know Him without a heart of love. God’s love increases in our hearts as we follow the Spirit reflecting his love to people.
Prayer: Lord, fill my heart with your love making me more like Jesus. Help me to always know that the more I serve You, the more that your love increases in my heart and the closer I am to You. In Jesus name, Amen