Gods of the Bible -- Part Twelve

2001-4-11 11:00:00

Man Is Also Made In God's Image

The scriptures definitely teach that Jesus is in the image and glory of God. Paul says that he "is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature." (Col 1:15)  We also read of Christ "being the brightness of his (glory), and the express image of his person...." (Heb 1:3) and "Christ, who is the image of God...." (2 Cor 4:4)

We are told that Jesus was "raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father." (Rom 6:4)  "And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father." (John 1:14)  Also Jesus said: "And now O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." (John 17:5)  Paul said: "For it pleased the Father that in him (Jesus) should all fullness dwell." (Col 1:19)

Orthodox Christians read these passages and in them see Jesus as God in a way they can never be. They seem to overlook the many scriptures that say similar things about regular humanity.

For some reason people seem to delight in giving Jesus a corner on the God market. This relieves them of all responsibility to find the kingdom of God within and to become as Jesus was, and perhaps to do even "greater things" than he did. It is much easier to "let Jesus do it" and try to glide into heaven on a broad and easy path. It is as if they want to rely on a fairytale magic rather than the miraculous within the realm of natural law

No matter what people think we all have a responsibility to seek the God within and manifest him. The scriptures certainly bear this out for they tell us that man is in the image of God more frequently than we are told that Jesus was.

The most familiar scripture on this note is found in the first chapter of the Bible:

"And God said, Let us make man IN OUR IMAGE, after OUR likeness: and let them have dominion [...] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." (Gen 1:26-27)

Similarly in the New Testament we are told that man "is the image and glory of God." (1 Cor 11:7)  Also man is "renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." (Col 3:10)

"Image" comes from the Old Testament Hebrew word TSELEM and the corresponding New Testament Greek word of EIKON. The precise meaning of the word is "to make an exact duplication." In fact the diminutive form of EIKON which is EIKONION is the closest ancient word we have to our modern word "photograph." When the Greeks drew a picture of themselves they called it a EIKONION. When the scriptures tell us that man is in the image of God it is like saying that man is an exact copy or photograph of him. The meaning, however, goes deeper than this. The word not only implies physical representation but also image in quality. It is if a man is an extension of God rather than a duplication.

We are also told that man is in the image of Christ which is essentially the same as saying that he is in the image of God since Christ was in the image of God:

"For whom he did foreknow (people like you and me), he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image (EIKON) of his Son (Christ), that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Rom 8:29)

The word "conform" here comes from SUMMORPHOS which literally means "jointly formed." "Predestinate" comes from PROORIZO which means "to determine in advance." In other words, those whom God "foreknew" were jointly formed with Jesus and it was determined in advance that they would have all the attributes, powers, and privileges that he has.

James even tells us that men who are cursed are made after the similitude of God: "Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are MADE AFTER THE SIMILITUDE OF GOD." (James 3:9)

"Similitude" here comes from a different Greek word HOMOIOSIS. This word is derived from HOMOS. From HOMOS comes the English prefix "homo." Most are aware that in English this means "the same." Homogenized milk, for instance, is the same throughout. So we see here that James is saying that man's true being is in the true reality exactly like that of God. No wonder John said:

"Whosoever is born of God doeth not commit sin; for his (God's) seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born ("begotten" in the Greek) of God." (1 John 3:9)

If we are begotten of God and his seed is in us, who then can doubt that we are children of God with a destiny to manifest the fullness of our creator? Paul seemed to believe this: "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass (Greek: 'mirror') the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Cor 3:18)  If man is indeed in the "image" of God then it is only natural that he would reflect or "mirror" the God of us all.

It is also written:  "And as we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the IMAGE OF THE HEAVENLY." (1 Cor 15:49)

David also wrote:  "As for me I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied when I awake WITH THY LIKENESS." (Psalms 17:15)

We learn from these scriptures we have quoted that man was first created in the image of God, but since the fall he seems to have to regain that image for some of the God in man is veiled or "lost" to his view. To see God man must look "with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord." (2 Cor 3:18)  This is more accurately translated as "With uncovered face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord." Paul tells us that there must be an "uncovering" of the God self within us before we behold it. When we uncover our true face we see "the glory of God." In our "fallen" state we do not see God when we see ourselves because we have covered him up with our own limiting thoughts.

Paul was considering this principle when he said: "For now we see through a glass (mirror), darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know (the Spirit of the God within) even as also I am known." (1 Cor 13:12)

As we are now we do not see a correct reflection of God in a mirror, but the time will come when we will. When we see correctly with uncovered faces then we will truly see that we are in the image of God in every way.

Consider this: If we are in the image of God then our minds are in the image of God. Within us is the mind of God that is perfect and incapable of error or condemnation. The mind of God performs the many millions of flawless functions that are necessary to keep our bodies operating. Mistakes are only the illusion of the carnal or false mind that "covers" the God mind.

If we are in the image of God then our emotions and feelings are the perfect expression of the glory and love of God. The love of God is always in us, but its expression is often prevented or "covered" by carnal desire. Selfishness hides the perfect love of God that is each of us. It is always there, but in many of us it is "covered."

If we are in the image of God then our bodies are habitations of God, temples of God. The body is a symbol of God's intelligence and activity in the world of form. Those who are called Gods always take the form of a man for man is the form that most highly expresses the Spirit of God.

If man is in the image of God then man's Spirit is God's Spirit and is one with him. Therefore the Kingdom of God is within because the Spirit of God is within.

Thus it is the destiny of ordinary men and women as well as Jesus to reflect the image of God. Paul indeed said that if we are filled with the "love of Christ" we will be "filled with the fulness of God." (Eph 3:19)

All this correlates with the testimony of John:

"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, behold, the tabernacle (from SKENE: can also be translated as "habitation") of God is with (or "in") men, and he will dwell with (or "in") them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them (or "in" them), and he will be their God." (Rev 21:3)

Concerning the inhabitants of the New Jerusalem John also said:

"And they shall see his (God's) face; and his name (Christ) shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there (no darkness within); and they need no candle, neither the light of the Sun, for the Lord God giveth them light (enlightenment from within): and they shall reign for ever and ever." (Rev 22:4-5)

Not only is man in the image of God as was Jesus (who was also a man and called himself the "Son of Man"), but we can also attain the glory of God. This only stands to reason since he is in the image of God. How could man be in the image of God and not express his glory?

The word "glory" is an interesting word. It comes from the Greek DOXA which is derived from DOKEO which means "to think." Thus we could say that to have the glory of God is to think as God or to have the mind of God.

After all the scriptures tell us:

"LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU, WHICH WAS IN CHRIST JESUS: who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God." (Phil 2:5-6)

This is another way of saying:  "Let the glory of God be within you that was within Jesus."

Again the scripture says:  "For we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God."  (Rom 3:23)

The word "sinned" here comes from the Greek HAMARTANO which literally means "to miss the mark."  "Out of harmony" would be another way to put it. If we read this passage in the light of Greek meaning we obtain an interesting translation. "For we have all missed the mark and have come short of thinking as God does."

Now the scripture correlates with Philippians 2:5 which commands us to have the same mind as Christ, or God. When we do not attempt to have the mind or the glory of God we are indeed "missing the mark."

Many other scriptures reinforce this idea. In this light the following scripture does not seem to contradict: "He (man) is the image and glory of God." (1 Cor 11:7)  At least this is what man is if he does not miss the mark in seeking to be one with God. Paul also told the saints to "rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." (Rom 5:2)  He also talked about "Christ IN you, the hope of glory [...] that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." (Col 1:27-28)  "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Col 3:4)  Paul also tells us that if we are justified we shall be "glorified." (Rom 8:30)

Perhaps the most powerful statement on this doctrine comes from the Master himself:  "And the GLORY which thou gavest me I HAVE GIVEN THEM; that they may be one, even as we are one." (John 17:22)

Who can believe the Bible and deny that the destiny of men and women to manifest the image and glory of God, and how can man do this if God is not in him? How can God be in man and man be one with God, and man not be God? Why do men refuse to believe the quote of Jesus: "Ye are Gods." (John 10:34)  Why do men delight to sell themselves short and miss the mark? Perhaps it is because they do not want the responsibility that the glory (thinking) as God entails. They do not understand that the realization of Emmanuel or "God in us" brings greater freedom rather than burden as the Christ said:  "My yoke is easy and my burden light." (Matt 11:30)

Question:

Do you really believe you are in the image of God?

If you are in the image of God then what things are possible for you to obtain?

What obstacles do you need to overcome so you can think as God?

  

-- End Of Part Twelve --