The Image Restored

Last week we saw how we were created in the image of God. This being the rational faculty of the human soul:

How we think, how we reason.

How God has given us attributes similar to His so we can better understand and comprehend Him.

We also looked at the multiple ways in which the culture gives no thought to how we are created in God’s image and are trying to destroy image bearers of God.

The Image Was Defaced

Just like a mirror, when it has been scratched up, you can no longer see clearly through it. You can no longer see what the reflection is to be of.

We are reflectors for the glory of God, but with the fall of man, we have been defaced to where you can no longer see the image of God in us.

Romans 3:10-12

Romans 3:10–12 ESV

10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

We still have the ability to have rational intelligent though. But now, we use it for evil or worthless behavior, rather than the worship of our great and mighty God.

Some say that the image wasn’t defaced, but destroyed, I don’t believe that becasue in Genesis 9:6 & James 3:9 we see God still having value in the life of man becasue “they were created in God’s image.”

Mankind Still Has A Responsibility to Image God

Why evangelize? Why should we tell people that they have a responsibility to follow God?

We know that we have broken the command of a holy and righteous God....

But the command still exists over mankind, to give glory to the one who we are created in the image of.

We see this when the Pharisees approach Jesus asking, is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar?

Jesus answers:

Matthew 22:19-21

How many of you pay taxes?

It’s because the money belongs to the government. That is made proof by them putting their image on the currency.

Jesus speaking of giving what is due, to the ones whom the image and likeness is on says, “render unto God the thing’s that are God’s.”

We may all pay taxes, but do we give God what He deserves since we are made in His image?

The problem being that, “none does good, no not one.”

In fact Jesus speaking about how our actions show what kind of a person we are speaks to the Pharisees saying:

Matthew 12:34

Matthew 12:34 ESV

34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

In that circumstance who’s image were they portraying?

Our problem is we are born with Adam as our covenant head. Thus we are born in a state of sin with the image of God being marred in us.

There is Hope For Broken Humanity

1 Corinthians 15:21-22

Since we all come from the bloodline of Adam. He is our covenant head, the representative for us all.

But now we can enter into a new covenant, through Christ with Jesus as our covenant head.

Just as we all dead spiritually with Adam, now you can enter into a new covenant with Jesus as the head and be made alive through His sacrifice!

You might be wondering what in the world does this have to do with the image of God?

I’m so glad you asked.

2 Corinthians 4:4

2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV

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.

Jesus is the image of God

Hebrews 1:3

Hebrews 1:3 ESV

3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Jesus is the exact imprint of His nature.

The image of God.

But not like us with faults.

Not like us where we are lacking in the attributes.

NO, Jesus is the perfect image of God!

Jesus Restores Us In The Image Of God

Ephesians 4:17-24

v.17-19

This was the way we once lived. With the image of God destroyed in us.

Living according to the broken covenant of Adam.

v.20

But this isn’t what you’ve learned in Christ!

Through Jesus we see how the image of God should be displayed.

v.21-24

Put on the new self!

Have your mind renewed!

Put on the new self.

Your homework shows you how.

Be clothed in righteousness and holiness.

For this is the image of God being restored in you!

That which was once disfigured and tarnished. To where we could not live righteously for the glory of God.

We now come under the new covenant headship, under Christ. By the Holy Spirit we are having our minds renewed where we are now beginning to display the image of God to this fallen, broken world!

By this, we are rendering unto God, the things that are God’s!

Hope for the Future

The apostle Paul speaking of us being raised from the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:49

1 Corinthians 15:49 ESV

49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

We will have new bodies. Ones that are after Christ and are made anew in the image of God.

Homework

In each passage, consider what is the image of God, how we are being transformed, and what steps are needed by us.

Colossians 3:1-17

Ephesians 4:17-32

2 Corinthians 3

Romans 8:28-29

Benediction

May the God of glory and grace, continue to transform you into His image as you seek Him throughout the week. To Him belongs glory and honor, forever and ever. Amen