Christian Living
There is a huge misconception in interpreting the scriptures that refer to man being created in the image of God. God IS a spirit; man HAS a spirit, therefore, the 'image' must be from attributes which are not physical. As the Messiah, God became man, for that time and that purpose. He looked like a man, because it was His plan to do so...to identify with humanity on the human level.
So, for our times, when God is NOT physically in our midst, what of God is implanted to remind us of His image IN us? Look at the Holy Trinity; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. I am the microcosm of a trinity. I am a father, a son, and when my body dies and my spirit returns to the Source of Life, there will remain the continuing influence which attests to the fact that I WAS here. The HOLY Spirit is that of God which remains to comfort and to remind us that He came...that He was here as one of us. He was exposed to life as we are; the triumph, the tragedy-and He did it all WITHOUT EVER SINNING.
In the 'image' of God, humans can choose, think and reason, can evaluate and act based on that of God which goes beyond the instinctive powers of lower animals. Animals 'sense' danger and REACT as their nature dictates. Humans are equipped to discern the destructive forces and AVOID being in contact with them. Animals exist with their goal being survival. Humans can live life abundantly, even aside from the consideration for how many nuts they have stored in a hollow tree. The comfort zone being in the depth of the Divine relationship.
I would like to look like God, but would be sorely disappointed to find that HE looks like ME. He is the Ultimate, but has chosen to share Himself with me in wonderful ways...ways that are identifiable with His image. His parental concern is reflected as I show concern for MY offspring. His desire to have me fellwship with Him is shown as I hunger for the associative comfort of fellow believers.
His image has surfaced in many humans who were martyred for believing in Him. There were, to mention a few, five young missionaries in Ecuador in the mid-fifties, whose souls were taken "Through Gates of Splendor" as they gave their lives in His service. Dietrich Bonhoeffer took seriously, that of God which was within him. He was executed in 1945 in NAZI Germany because his message could not be stilled. Bonhoeffer (as did The Master) realized the "Cost of Discipleship".
We are sometimes comforted by our status of being created in the image of God...maybe we SHOULDN'T be. HE DIED FOR US. Must we not, also, accept Bonhoeffer's statement..."when God calls a man...He bids him come and die"?
Oh, that the 'image' WERE merely physical-blue eyes, curly hair, nice teeth. The 'image' is more than a 'look', it is a 'calling', a touching of eternal principles and values instilled in humanity from the created Adam to the last baby that will ever be born. And we ALL fall within that frame.
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I'm so glad I found your article, though written in 2003. You make some interesting points that I've not thought of. How great is our God!!! And to think that we are His ambassadors and representatives. Your article did just that!
This is a very deep article, Howard. I never thought of us being like Him in spirit. I shall have to read your article again. Blessings.
"Animals exist with their goal being survival. Humans can live life abundantly, even aside from the consideration for how many nuts they have stored in a hollow tree!" This is a VERY powerful statement. It should be printed in a book of quotations. Bev
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