Just What Does 'In His Image' Really Mean?

"God said, Let Us (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness...So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them." (Genesis 1:26,27, Amplified Study Bible)

I learned something so awesome this morning. A new friend gave me a book, Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament by Nancy Guthrie. I hope you'll enjoy my discovery as much as I did.

When God created man, sin had not yet entered into the equation. A very Holy God desired fellowship with mankind. He created us HOLY and RIGHTEOUS. (That had never dawned on my before.) Think about it. Mankind had to be holy and righteous or God could not have walked in the garden with them. I had always limited "the likeness" to spirit, but there is so much more. The Message says it this way, "God spoke: Let Us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature."

When sin came on the scene, mankind was forever changed. No longer could a Holy God dwell with them. Generation upon generation has been separated from Elohim, the Creator of the Universe, because of the original sin.

That's where the transformation comes in.

Romans 8:29 reads, "For those 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 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."

Do you feel those goosebumps yet? Mankind started out holy and righteous.

Let's repeat that one more time, just for the fun of it: Mankind started out holy and righteous!

God is continually working in us to RESTORE us to that original creation of holiness and righteousness! We are His workmanship. He wants to bring us full circle.

The Holy Spirit is shaping us and molding us into the righteousness of God so that we might KNOW Him fully. Notice that this is not something WE do, it is something we receive. It is GOD who is at work in us.

Eternal purposes? Yes, ma'am, I think so.

Oh what a mighty God we serve!

Father, It is so fun to learn something new. Thank You. I think deep inside we had an understanding, but now we can SEE the plan more clearly. You are always working in us, restoring us to fellowship with You. We are so grateful for this. You are an amazing God. We love You, Lord.