Genesis 1:27 ESV “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
We were created in the image of God… but what does that mean?
According to Romans 1:20, His power and divinity can clearly be perceived in His creation. His creation glorifies Him through its complexity, scope, and beauty. But man is different. Man is more. The words used in Genesis “In His own image” mean originally to “be like” or to “represent.”
This doesn't mean that we ourselves are gods, but rather, that He has fashioned us specifically to reflect His attributes, His nature, and even His character.
Of all the created natural world, only humans have a “spirit,” only humans reflect God in our understanding of the concept of morality, the way we understand and interact in relationships with others. There are many other ways as well that we are “in His image,” but what about our sin nature? We know we have been corrupted by sin, so are we still his image bearers? The answer is, Yes!
That image is marred, distorted, and partially obscured, and parts of our fleshly natures, (greed, pride, selfishness, dishonesty) certainly do not reflect our Creator in any way.
But as Christians, what are we encouraged to do?
Romans 8:29 ESV “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”
We are called and empowered by the Holy Spirit to become more and more Christlike! As we grow in our faith, the sinful nature falls away bit by bit, and something beautiful happens… Ephesians 4:24 ESV “And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Through our redemption in Christ, our purchasing by His blood, we begin a progressive recovery of that image! Growing in Christ is us putting on more and more our intended nature: People made in God’s image and for His glory alone.
Don’t strive to grow in Christ because you think it will make you a better or more accepted Christian; instead, pursue Him with all that you are because being conformed to His will and image and for His glory is your original design. It’s who you are, it’s why you were made, and it is the ONLY way to have true purpose.
Christ died for you so that you may have life in Him.