Created in God's Image

            When thinking about mankind and who he is and what his function is, one facet that is commonly mentioned is that he is created in the image of God. However, it is often not explained in depth what it means for us to be created in the image of God. What about God can we image? Do we look like him? Is it to do with our nature? Do we even still image God because of our fallen nature?  This week are going to explore what we can find in Scripture that will answer this question.

            We are able to imagine his attributes. Several months ago, we discussed the attributes of God. We saw that we are able to divide his attributes between moral and amoral. As a reminder, some of his moral attributes are that he is holy, righteous, and wise. Some of his amoral attributes are that he is all-powerful, all-knowing, and unchanging. God’s moral attributes are communicable, but his amoral attributes are not communicable. In other words, we are able to image God’s moral attributes, but we are not able to image his amoral attributes. This is done through the embodied moral nature of God.

            We see that there are seven aspects of the embodied moral nature of God through which we image God. The first aspect is that he distinguishes man from other creations. “God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 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.’ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:25-27). We see that man is different from plants because we have consciousness. We are different from animals because of our moral nature. Finally, we are different from angels because we have a physical body. Mankind is made in a different fashion than the rest of God’s creation. God simply made each creature after their kind. However, he made mankind in his image. He took time to specially craft mankind to be like him. This makes us unique from the rest of creation. This makes us special in God’s eyes.

            Second, God gives mankind dominion over the earth. This is seen in Genesis 1:26-28. It is furthered in Psalm 8:5-6. “You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet” (Psalm 8:5-6). This dominion that we are given is seen in three different functions. First, serving as king in God’s domain. Mankind is to subdue the earth. Second, serving as a priest in God’s temple. The Garden of Eden is portrayed in Genesis 1 as God’s dwelling place. The rivers in the garden are associated with temples (Ezekiel 47:1-12; Revelation 22:1-2). Adam was commanded to dress and keep the garden. This is similar to the duties of the Old Testament priestly duties in the temple. Third, serving as a prophet. Here, Adam serving as prophet is viewed as God’s spokesman. He serves this role by naming animals and communing with God.

            Third, man embodies God’s moral nature through plurality in unity. God is plural (triune) and relational. Despite his plurality, he is one. This plurality through unity is seen the clearest in marriage. Genesis 2 describes marriage as the man and the woman each leaving their family and being joined together as one. We see then that they are one, yet plural as well. This unity is also seen through relationships.

            Fourth, God gives man value as a creature. “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.” (Genesis 9:6). “Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.” (Proverbs 17:5). All of mankind has value. In fact, we see in scripture that God has placed more value on mankind than on any of his other creations.

            Fifth, the image of God remains after the Fall. This same value that was placed on mankind at creation is evident throughout the rest of scripture (Genesis 9:6; Proverbs 17:5). All of mankind is in God’s image; however, this image is horribly distorted.

            Sixth, the embodiment of God’s moral nature includes knowledge of the truth, righteousness, and holiness. “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” (Colossians 3:10). This renewal in knowledge is true righteousness and holiness. We are able to become more like Christ as we walk in the Spirit. This is what we strive for here on earth.

            Seventh, it is exemplified perfectly in Jesus Christ, to whose image we are predestined. “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus is God made flesh. He perfectly imagined God. “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” (Romans 8:29). As we continue to walk in the Spirit, we are continually being made like Christ. We are created in the image of the Word, which enables our fellowship with the Father. Once we are saved, we are re-created in the image of the Word, enabling renewed fellowship with the Father.

            Since that was a lot to work through and kind of complicated, I will include a simplified list to help better summarize the seven aspects of the embodied moral nature through which we image God.

1.     Man is distinguished from the lower creation and from the angels by his embodied moral nature.

2.     God exercises his moral nature in his providence; man exercises it in his dominion.

3.     The moral nature enables fellowship, leading to unity in plurality.

4.     The fall distorts man’s ability to exercise his moral nature but does not destroy it; thus, unbelievers are still in God’s image to some extent.

5.     Jesus Christ reflected God’s moral nature perfectly.

6.     Believers are able to be renewed in their knowledge of righteousness and holiness.

7.     Believers are destined to look like Jesus Christ morally and thus once again image forth the moral nature of our Creator.

We are created in God’s image. This reality goes beyond what is often thought. We image God not by being the embodiment of his moral nature. Because of the fall, we do not perfectly image God. However, our aim is to better image God. We, as believers, are to continually kill sin and put on Christ and be more like him.