We
all know that the story of creation resides on the pages of the book of
Genesis, but I want us to look at something specific about the creation
of man today. As you open your Bible, turn with me to Genesis chapter
1 and let's look at verses 26-27....
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let
them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the
air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping
thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."
First of all, it is clear in scripture that God himself created man. This
is the truth about our origin. In knowing and believing this truth, should
the fact that human beings are created by God impact the way we see life?
Of course it should! There should be a greater value placed on life than
is evident in this generation, amen? Yet there is no sanctity of life
anymore... People abort babies as easily as they kill flies at a picnic.
Not only that, people are killing strangers, parents, relatives, bosses,
spouses, co-workers and themselves too! It seems to make no difference
at all anymore that people are created in the image of God - a Divine
image!
Did you notice in our text today that those verses also point to Christ
being present at creation? It is shown in the words, "let US make man
in OUR image..." Both the image of God and the image of Christ are holy
ones! God Himself tells us in 1 Peter 1:16, "...Be ye holy, for I am holy."
If Christ lives within our hearts, this should be our image as well.....and
one we ought to be content with. Would you consider your image today a
holy one?
How does the fact that people are made in God's image affect the way you
feel about yourself? There is much that we can learn in regard to self-worth
from this passage of scripture. Where do you get your self worth dear
lady? It is interesting to me how many Christians have become caught up
in the trap of having to be covered with designer clothing from head to
foot in order to create for themselves an "image" of success and self-worth.
Many so called "Christian" designer jewelry and clothing lines have come
on the fashion scene to improve our "godly image". It seems we have to
copy the world's ways so that we poor Christians don't go without some
sort of an "image" altogether... Consider the "WWJD" movement, for instance.
Everywhere you look somebody has something that displays this phrase...
Ladies, the world doesn't need to see God's people all wearing a WWJD
t-shirt - they need to see the REAL image of God in our lives!!! What
a lie we are falling for! We have forgotten that we were created in the
Divine image of God, and in Him we should be finding our true worth, not
in the labels this world slaps on our clothes! It is a worth that comes
from what we are dressed with on the INSIDE (God's holiness!), not the
outside! We foolishly tend to feel like we are less of a person if we
don't have the latest and greatest of things... In essence, the image
of God is not good enough for us! The truth is ladies, we have a warped
image of ourselves as Christians, and because of it, the world has a warped
image of God! God's people are covering up the image and likeness of Jesus
Christ with a worldly image instead....
Deut. 16:22, "Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the Lord
thy God hateth."
Image, Image, Image! That's all we ever seem to think about... It's actually
idolatry at it's best! Idolatry is not only the adoration of images but
also trust in one’s own righteousness, works and merits, putting confidence
in one's own riches and power. Idolatry is trusting people, positions
or possessions to do for me what only God can do! So too, were the Pharisees
guilty of this same type of behavior as seen in Matthew 23:1-12. As a
matter of fact, if they lived in this day and age, they would drive the
expensive designer cars, eat at the best and newest restaurants, belong
to the most popular country clubs, never be caught dead shopping at Wal-mart
or wearing anything from a thrift store, and never be caught smelling
like "imposter" colognes! Who are we all trying to impress anyway?? Man
or God.... Can we really impress God with an image such as this? Not so,
for God is only impressed with the image of His Son, Jesus Christ! True,
you can wear a WWJD shirt every day of the week and impress everyone around
you, but God sees your heart....
Verse 5-6 say, "But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they
make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues...."
Yes, the Pharisees ambitions were worldly and because of it, their image
was worldly as well! Is that us today ladies? Are your ambitions covering
up the image of God in your life, in your home? In many cases, this "image"
lifestyle has sent many women out into the work force, deserting their
homes for the purpose of attaining more things this world has to offer
- at the expense of precious children! The image of a mother or housewife
is no longer a popular one or one that is held in high esteem. Instead,
the image of the working woman has been lifted up and idolized... Christian
women continually struggle between these two images and the devil uses
this struggle to destroy their faith in God, and ultimately to destroy
God's image in the home. Ladies, we need to get back to holy ambitions
and restore the proper image to motherhood, amen?
1 Tim. 5:14, "I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children,
guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully."
Mankind was formed in God's image, and we deform that image by our sin,
amen? Christians have been transformed into God's image through the blood
of Jesus Christ so that the image and likeness of God can clearly be seen
in our lives, not to be covered up!
The Bible tells us in Romans 8:29, "For whom he did foreknow, he also
did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son...."
How is your conforming to the image of Christ coming along since the day
of your salvation? What are you seeking after, honoring, exalting by your
life? Whatever a man seeks, honors, or exalts more than God, is idolatry.
I hope that the image of God has become clearer in your life rather than
dimmed with the image of worldliness....
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 says, "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them
that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of
them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ,
WHO IS THE IMAGE OF GOD, should shine unto them."
Does that portion of scripture hit you as hard as it hits me? Satan has
always wanted to destroy the image of God with sin. He desires nothing
more than for us as Christians to distort the image of God so that the
glorious light of the gospel of Christ does not shine unto the lost! Satan
lies to us and deceives us into thinking that we need an "image" other
than God's holiness shining forth in our lives. He sets before us many
worldly idols and images, hoping to lure us away... And ladies, we foolishly
bow down to these idols and images every time we pattern ourselves after
this world, forsaking the putting on of Christ...
Colossians 3:10 says, "And have put on the new man, which is renewed in
knowledge after the image of him that created him."
2 Cor. 3:18, "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory
of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even
as by the Spirit of the Lord."
Ladies, as we grow in grace and the knowledge of God through His Word,
we will be transformed by the Spirit of God to share in the glorious image
of God! It involves the study of the Bible... How evident do you think
it is to this world that God's people are faithfully spending time in
the Word of God? While we are living in this world and waiting for the
return of Christ, our images need to be clearly founded upon His Word!
This is where we will realize our self-worth most of all, and carve away
the worldliness that tends to creep into our hearts and minds...
Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper
than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul
and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts
and intents of the heart."
In closing, true greatness, true success - the proper image, is not manufactured
by man. It's not made by this world in Japan or even in America. It's
not in wearing a designer label or even a Christian label. It's not found
in a bottle of expensive fragrance, or in driving a fancy car. It can
only come from heaven above, as God's image and likeness - HIS holiness,
is exalted in our lives.
Perhaps you've been struggling with the image of a homeschooling stay
at home mom, or in being just a plain Christian housewife and mother and
have been tempted with the desire of something a bit more "exciting" or
"meaningful" - a better image so to speak.... Don't fall into the ideas
and beliefs (the lies!) about image from this world! Satan would love
to have us bow down to his image and likeness and will do everything he
can to trick you into thinking God's likeness is worth nothing. Ladies,
we have a marvelous purpose attached to our lives! Remember that as God's
children, you and I were Divinely created by our Heavenly Father to shine
forth HIS image in our homes to our families first, as well as to a lost
and dying world. Let this truth take control of your heart the next time
you are feeling worthless or useless. Let's proudly reflect God's image
in our lives, amen?
The dearest idol I have known,
Whate’er that image be,
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
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