In the Image of God
Hello,
I noticed that Issue 2 of 'presson' opens with these words, "Each of us are being made in the image of God. We are reflections of our creator. "
I am wondering if that statement is entirely correct. It was always my understanding that we were already in the image (form) of God and were being made into his likeness. Likeness has to do with character formation (development of the fruits of the spirit - Galatians 5:22-24) , something that can only be produced under trial and testing. I call it going to the School of Hard Knocks, so that we can develop the right attitude and reactions.
Is this not a right way of thinking?
Rejoice always - Philippians 4:4
F.C.B.
Hello F.C.B.,
Thank you for your note. The distinction you made between image and likeness is quite popular, but is hard to establish firmly from scripture. After the Gen 1:26 declaration of making ‘humankind in our image, according to our likeness’ it indeed goes on to say, 'God created humankind in his image’ (v27) which leads to the distinction you suggested. On the other hand, Gen 5:1 says, 'When God created humankind, he made them in the likeness of God,’ which just as strongly erases the distinction. [These English words are faithful to the Hebrew word distinctions.]
When we follow the ideas to the New Testament, the idea of image is refined dramatically – it is not a fixed, superficial aspect, but a deep internal dimension. Following the Greek word used consistently to translate the Hebrew ‘image’ in the Greek bible of NT times, we get the following verses:
Col. 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;
2Cor. 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Rom. 8:29 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 within a large family.
1 Cor. 15:49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.
2 Cor. 3:18 And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.
Col. 3:10 and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator.
Heb. 10:1 Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the true form [image] of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who approach.
The principle is strong. Jesus is the first human to be in the true image of God. That’s what it means for him to be the firstborn of all creation. And we too are undergoing a renewing, being transformed into his image until we bear the true form of God himself. And you are right, it is through the rigors of our discipleship that Christ accomplishes this in us.
In grace,
Editorial board,
Press On Journal
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