MADE IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD

Genesis 1: 27 (KJV)
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Man was originally made in the image and likeness of God. He lost that glory when he fell. It was at this point that man became rewired after the pattern of Satan and sin, and consequences such as curses, pain, hardship, poverty etc. became man’s reality.

However, God in His love for mankind sent His son Jesus to become the price for our freedom. God literally exchanged Jesus for us (2 Corinthians 5:21), such that in Jesus, the penalty for our sins was paid. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit” 1 Peter 3:18 (ESV)“

Anyone who accepts the Lord Jesus will be reborn into the image and likeness of God in Christ Jesus, this is the born-again experience. Hence, anyone who believes in Jesus is saved from the power of sin. Although he may be tempted to sin, it is not because he is wired that way; he now has a new nature of righteousness. Note the use of the word ’tempt’. He is tempted because he is no longer wired to sin. If he were, the word ‘tempt’ will not be appropriate because you do not tempt a man to do what he is by nature.

How then do we grow? We grow by loving the things that God who redeemed us loves, and hate the things God hates (Heb 1:9). When this happens, growth will come as a return for our love for God which is manifested in obedience, discipline, and responsibility. John 14:15, 21 (paraphrased) “If you love me, keep my commandments and I will manifest myself to you.”

Go into today asking God that the eyes of your understanding be enlightened to behold wondrous things out of His word.
—Dr Emmanuel James