In the Image of God

Praise be to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and I want to also thank you immensely for sparing your time to receive this ministry. I pray the Father that we receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of His Son and our eyes are opened to the realities of His kingdom in Jesus name. Amen

I will be sharing with you what I have titled In the Image of God to discuss the identity and identification of the man in Christ, the born again man.

Let us start by reading from James 1:22–25 (NKJV) 22But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues [in it], and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

This passage uses the analogy of looking into a mirror to observe one’s natural face to explain the man who hears and does (not) the word of God. The capability of a mirror is seemingly to observe the physical features of one’s face or even the whole body but this passage suggests to us what the observer forgets is not his physical features rather what kind or quality of man he was. This certainly is beyond physical expression a mirror is only capable of as indeed a mirror is incapable of expressing the quality state of a person. The Greek word “hopoios” rendered in English as “what kind of man” refers to quality or kind and we see this in the way it is used by other speakers or writers apart from James the apostle.

Acts 26:29 (NKJV) And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”

1 Corinthians 3:13 (NKJV) Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort (of what quality) it is. Parenthesis mine

Galatians 2:6 (NKJV) But from those who seemed to be something — whatever they were (referring to status), it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man — for those who seemed [to be something] added nothing to me. Parenthesis mine

1 Thessalonians 1:9 (NKJV) For they themselves declare concerning us what manner (the kind) of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. Parenthesis mine

Reading through these verses clearly shows the usage of the word and on no count does it refer to physical attributes that can be captured and projected by a mirror as in the passage in James’ analogy. James usage is also consistent with Paul the only other speaker or writer to use the word in the Bible. So, going back to the passage in James, it simply explains that the word of God which in this analogy is referred to as mirror projects to us not necessarily the physical attributes of a person but more appropriately the nature of a believer. The word of God is far beyond the natural mirror in effectiveness of projecting the image of the man in Christ. This is the truer since the effectiveness of a mirror is limited to the reflection of the natural face/body of the object before it. The mirror is incapable of going behind the veil of humanity to search out the intricate details of life in its nature. The real deal is then the one who looks intently into the perfect law of liberty which is the word of God and continuously too, would observe himself in the image and nature of the new man in Christ. And not being a forgetful hearer, what he would see would be the portrait of his life, in its form and quality. This is not just a reflection; it is descriptive of the born again man or the man in Christ. This will infer the scriptures are about the life of the believer in Christ. We read it to largely find out the makers guide to effectiveness in purpose as is the case with reading an owner’s manual.

The next verse we are going to consider is clearer and a pointer to what a believer would see in scriptures. This is particularly clearer in the context of the passage which explains the difference between the Old and New Testament. This passage clearly shows that the Old Testament requires revelation to understand and this is seen in the veil over its reader’s mind. This veil of ignorance is taken away when Moses as indeed the entire Old Testament is read under a Jesus tainted and heavily laced binoculars. Let us read.

2 Corinthians 3:12–18 (NKJV) Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech — 13unlike Moses, [who] put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the [veil] is taken away in Christ. 15But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord [is], there [is] liberty. 18But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

The last verse particularly tells of the outcome of reading the Old Testament in the light of Christ, we are transformed into the same image, same as Christ. Thus, when we behold Christ in the fulness of its revelation, we are metamorphosed into the same image of Christ in his revelation. The Greek word “eikon” translated image here in Bible lexicon means likeness, representation or a resemblance. It is from a root word “eiko” which means “to be like”. Seeing how this word — image is used in a couple of examples would also be greatly helpful.

Matthew 22:17–21 (NKJV) (Mark 12:14–16; Luke 20:21–24) Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, [you] hypocrites? 19Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, 20“Whose image and inscription [is] this?” 21They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”

Romans 1:22–23 (NKJV) Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Romans 8:29 (NKJV) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined [to be] conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

1 Corinthians 11:7 (NKJV) For a man indeed ought not to cover [his] head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.

1 Corinthians 15: 49 (NKJV) And as we have borne the image of the [man] of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly [Man].

The general usage shows clearly what an image is, a striking resemblance of the original. So, going back to 2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” We know that we are transformed into the same image as Jesus Christ as we find out by revelation what the Lord is to us today. Same wisdom, same power, same glory, in fact, joint heirs together with Him. It is a full identification, we in Christ and Him in us. Glory to God!

This leads us to another verse of scripture that clearly and without ambiguity points to the status of a Christ believer. We are the same as Him in His glorified state right here right now.

1 John 4:17 (NKJV) Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

So far, we have seen that the word of God is a mirror in the sense that it is a reflection of the man in Christ in a descriptive sense as is with an owner’s manual for a piece of equipment. You read it to find out the design capabilities built in by the manufacturer. You search out the manual to ensure you put such device to full and effective use and this is same with the man in Christ. The word of God is the user manual.

So, continuing, this image of God narrative is certainly not something God stumbled upon. The Bibles tells that this was the intent of God in His foreknowledge. Our God does not react rather everything works together for His good purpose. In the foreknowledge of God, believers are predestined to the image of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, the first of our kind.

Romans 8:28–30 (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose. 29For whom He foreknew, He also predestined [to be] conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

The Greek word translated “conformed” in verse 29 means “to have the form of”. Also notice that the “to be” just before the word conformed is italicized or in parenthesis meaning it is not found in the manuscript. The translators added it to the text for clarity. However, the insertion made it seem like there is something to be done by the believer to attain conformity with the image of God’s Son. This is definitely not consistent with scriptures. What the scriptures teaches is that a believer is a new man in Christ and new means never existed before. The scripture is replete with this understanding and let us examine some quickly.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) Therefore, if anyone [is] in Christ, [he is] a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Ephesians 4:20–24 (NKJV) But you have not so learned Christ, 21if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Colossians 3:9–11 (NKJV) Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10and have put on the new [man] who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave [nor] free, but Christ [is] all and in all.

Galatians 6:15 (NKJV) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

Romans 6:4 (NKJV) Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Romans 7:6 (NKJV) But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not [in] the oldness of the letter.

So, we are a new breed, a peculiar people unto God, fashioned after the counsel of His will. We are God’s deliberate creation, not stumbled upon.

1 Peter 2:9–10 (NKJV) But you [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10who once [were] not a people but [are] now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Glory to God, hallelujah!

This subject is so crucial for a believer. It should be appreciated and appropriated for us to walk in its reality. We have seen that conformity to the image of God’s Son is the predeterminate counsel of God. This can be seen also in His original plan. This was what He planned all along.

Genesis 1:26–27 (NKJV) Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27So God created man in His [own] image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

A keen student of the Bible can easily discern the image of God. The intent of God at creation was the man in Christ but left mankind to make its choice not being a tyrant.

Colossians 1:15 (NKJV) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Hebrews 1:1–3 (NKJV) God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2has in these last days spoken to us by [His] Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3who being the brightness of [His] glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Romans 8:28–29 (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose. 29For whom He foreknew, He also predestined [to be] conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

2 Corinthians 4:3–4 (NKJV) But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

So back to Romans 8:28–30, God predestined us conformed to the image of His Son. It is a default; we are made that way. That is why the next phrase in the passage refers to Christ as the firstborn meaning it’s a nature thing. In fact, the word first born does not refer to order of birth but rather the first of a new set, a prototype. So, this verse 29 in particular deals with the nature and not something to be attained in works which verse 9 of the same chapter in context clearly explains.

Romans 8:29 (NKJV) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined [to be] conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Romans 8:9 (NKJV) But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

Let us round up this way, this life God has called us to is the Godkind, to have the same nature, same life as Him. It is called eternal life. This life is fully expressed in His Son Jesus Christ who has laid example for us in His footsteps that we should follow. And that is why the Apostle of the Lord, Peter calls us partakers of the divine nature.

2 Peter 1:2–4 (NKJV) Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3as His divine power has given to us all things that [pertain] to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption [that is] in the world through lust.

Glory be to God, hallelujah!

Let us Pray:

Dear Father, we pray that our minds open to the realities of the Christ life and we appropriate it in its fullness to the glory of your name. This we ask in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you.