In His Image and Likeness 5/27/2014

"Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'” Genesis 1:26

Despite the fact that we are always searching for our origins, it is difficult for some to imagine that we are, in fact, created beings.  Further, we are literally created by the hand of God.

Most believers understand that we are created in the image and likeness of God but do we understand what that means?  The word "likeness" comes from a Hebrew word that involves our make up and content.  Otherwise put, we know that God is Spirit.  We also were made of Spirit.  It is true that we were formed by God's own hand from the dust of the ground but our most important component is the breath that he blew into that dust (Genesis 2:7) that caused us to be living souls.  In so doing, part of Him became part of us.  Further, it is written in Ephesians 4:24 that we are to "put on the new self created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."  Is God not holy and righteous?  We are not gods but we were created to consist of some of the "stuff" of God.

Regarding image, the Hebrew word used here speaks to the fact of our appearance.  It is important to note once again that God is Spirit and cannot be confined to any boundaries or manifestations.  That said, we are told throughout Scripture that we resemble Him.  Though it is done as much for our ability to mentally grasp as anything else, He is always spoken of in anthropomorphic (of or having to do with humanity) terms.  And of course, when he took on flesh in the person of Jesus (John 1:18), it was not as a plant, or beast, but as human.  Though He spoke everything into existence, the one being created by His own hand was the human.  Man and woman were formed by Him and resemble Him.  Thus, the definition of the Hebrew word revealed, "resemblance; representative figure" comes into focus.

Beloved, as we go about our lives, it is critical that we understand from whence we come.  We are nothing less than the creation of God with some of the consistency of God, made to look like God.  It is similar to our own children.  They have the same make up as we do and they look like us, but they are not us.  However, they are ours just as we are His.  And when you know who you are, what you are and from whom you come, that ought to affect your life.  Amen?

One,

Lee

The Good Side-DD 4/4/2011

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Ps 139:23-24

It is human nature to put our best foot forward for examination while our worst foot lags behind attempting to remain unnoticed. While being photographed, we want to make sure our "good side" is captured and our blemished "other side" is kept from view. Who among us does not desire to be well thought of by all? We invest a lot of time and energy into managing our image in the minds of others. To be sure, that image rarely represents the whole of us but in fact just the parts that make us attractive both inwardly and outwardly in our own minds.

Contextually, this is David's appeal to God to vindicate him in the face of accusations by his enemies. Think of the 139th Psalm as an extended, "God is my witness." There is much to be learned from his thought process and prayer.

Beloved, aside from the face we wear in public, we should always live lives that withstand the scrutiny of God. None of us lives sinless lives, but God is a discerner of the heart and pure hearts are certainly within our grasp. Do we offer ourselves up to his scrutiny (even though He knows all) or do we constantly push more skeleton bones in the closet? Are our minds and hearts open to correction from God or do we accept only that which is convenient and consistent with our own desires? Do we seek His help to improve or do we make excuses for ourselves?

David understood that it is not about the temporal and sensual pleasures that can be derived from this life, but the glorious and everlasting promise of a life our limited minds cannot imagine. Nothing should hinder us from laying hold of an eternity with Him who made us.

Interestingly enough, a life lived in obedience to God will lead to our whole selves being our good side, both feet being our best feet and the need to in any way to obscure will give way to freedom from shame. Give it a try!

Loving Like Jesus,

Lee