Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness”.
Image represents the form, nature and reflection and determines the worth or value of a person. For instance, the worth of a product is determined by various factors such as the brand, demand, supply, design, uniqueness, raw materials, labour etc. Hence a hand-woven silk is much more expensive than bulk machine manufactured fabric. We are uniquely hand-woven piece of artwork of the Almighty God created in His likeness.
God is spirit and when He created man He inbuilt His nature in us. Then He made an “earth suit” called ‘body’ from clay and breathed His breath into His handiwork. Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Hence we are a three part being – Spirit (Image of God) + Soul (Human Nature) + Body (outer clothing) = Man. In God’s original design, the body was subject to the soul and the soul was subject to the spirit.
In the garden of Eden the devil tempted Eve deceptively with the image of God that they already had. Genesis 3:5 when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God. When they disobeyed God’s Word, they gave into sensual and soulish desires of the body ignoring the sensitivity of the direction of the spirit. Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. Hence after sin clouded the human hearts, the image of God became like an undeveloped dark negative hidden inside the spirit man.
Let us go on a journey to rediscover the worth, value and treasures of “image of God” hidden in us.
1. Worth: It is not who you are on the outside but who you are on the inside that determines your worth and value. The image of Christ is hidden inside the different races, colours or creeds of the world. Hence our worth and value should not be determined by the colour of our skin, our pedigree or our achievements. We are priceless when we gleam the radiance of Christ through us.
2. Wealth: Our bank balances, gold or stocks that we hold do not represent our wealth. We are co-owners and co-heirs with Christ. Romans 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. The divine resources of heaven, health and wealth are available to those who put their trust and faith in the name of the Lord Jesus. We are the children of the wealthiest and most powerful King of Kings.
3. Wisdom: Adam and Eve had the nature, wisdom and image of God in them. However, Eve lusted after wisdom that was inherent in the image of God – “also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it”. To tap into divine wisdom, we must subject our body into Godly obedience and subjugate our soul to the leading of the Holy Spirit. In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
If the world understands that there is no difference, dissimilarity or distinction in who we are on the inside, there will be no class, race or gender inequalities. Let us start developing the nature of Christ in the darkroom of the secret place of prayer. The image of Christ is the “undeveloped negative”, hidden within us.
Genesis 5:1 In the day when God created man, He made him in the likeness of God.
Prayer: Heavenly Father I am far more valuable than what the world has branded me. I subject my body to fasting and pray; I surrender and subjugate my soul to obedience and repentance to radiate your image through my life. Amen
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