-Strength for Today"Restored Image."-Luke 19:10
The introduction of sin into the human race, marred the image and likeness of God. And since that time, man has sought to make himself presentable, by attempting to cover his spiritual condition with gross of religiosity. And because of Adam’s trespassing act, his inherent sinful nature has been passed down to all his descendants. And that nature is present from the moment of conception, (Psalm 51:5), making it impossible for man to live in a way that pleases God.
However, Jesus Christ, in the fullness of time, (Galatians 4:4), “the image of the invisible God,” (Colossians 1:15), took human flesh and personified the image and likeness expected of Adam. In doing so, He made it possible for man to one day assume the image of God that was lost in the fall of man, which is His:
· Spiritual likeness When man was created, he was created in innocence. He did not have an inner desire to rebel against God or to be disobedient to His commands. Man learned to rebel by tasting that which God had prohibited. They did not become more like God. In their innocence, they were spiritually alive, but the presence of sin hindered their spiritual likeness with God, in that their former fellowship with God cannot be regained apart from being justified by God, through Jesus Christ – Romans 5:19,1
· Character Likeness - Before the fall, man was inclined to perform the will of God. Man sought to conform to the vileness of the world, rather than being transformed by the righteousness of God. Paul would later write, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” - Romans. 12:2.
We can regain a character like God through sanctification. Unlike the new birth, this is not an instantaneous experience but rather a continual process in the Christian life. But then one day the process will be completed, “Because we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” - 1 John 3:2.
· Physical Likeness – The one physical attribute that was lost at the fall was eternal physical life on this earth – Genesis 2:17. Since sin entered the human race, we have been plagued with death, (Romans. 5:12), and we must live with the sting of death until the return of Christ. At that time, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality” - 1 Corinthians 15:52-53. Then we shall be like Jesus, restored in the original image and likeness of God!
Author: Plez Lovelady, PhD