Gospel Moments (10): Made in the Image of God (Part Four)

Genesis 1:27 ESV
So God created man 
in his own image,
in the image of God 
he created him;
male and female 
he created them.

What does it mean to be created
in the image of God?
This has challenged theologians
for centuries. Many commentators
have much to say regarding 
specific metaphysical 
questions about the nature of the 
soul and the relationship of the 
image of God to 
our personalities, etc. 

However, I don’t believe we need
to sort through all these complexities
to have a biblical understanding
of what it means to be 
created in God’s image. 
“The main things are the plain 
things and the plain things are 
the main things,” as Alistair Begg 
has frequently said.

What is important and 
essential is what is plainly 
stated in God’s Word.

Simply, 
God has created man
to be in relationship with Him,
to resemble and represent Him,
and to rule and reign under His
authority. 

“An example from the Ancient 
Near East which Peter Gentry uses
in his book Kingdom through Covenant 
is a powerful visual of this concept.
A ruler  would place his statue in 
a certain land and that statue would 
indicate that he was the Lord of 
that land. Humanity, as God’s 
image, has a similar function.” 

Man was created to distinctively
glorify and enjoy his Maker. 
It is because we resemble God
that we are able to be in relationship
with Him and represent Him 
in creation and 
rule and reign under Him.

From the Westminister
Shorter Catechism:

Q: What is the chief end of man?

A: Man’s chief end is to glorify God,
and to enjoy him forever. 

We are God’s handiwork,
we are His masterpiece.
We have been created by Him
and for Him.

And not only did He create us
in His image, but He is now
renewing us in His image in Christ.

Colossians 3:9-10
…you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self,
which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Ephesians 4:24
…put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness 
and holiness.

So look to your Maker,
fix your eyes upon Him. Ask Him
to meet you right where you are,
to help you see Him, and draw near 
to Him in faith. Read through the 
following psalm asking Him to glorify himself in you.

Psalm 86
1  Incline your ear, 
O Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
2  Preserve my life, for I am godly;
save your servant, who trusts in you
-you are my God.
3  Be gracious to me, O Lord,
for to you do I cry all the day.
4  Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, 
do I lift up my soul.
5  For you, O Lord, are good
and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love
to all who call upon you.
6  Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
listen to my plea for grace.
7  In the day of my trouble 
I call upon you,
for you answer me.
8  There is none like you 
among the gods, O Lord,
nor are there any works like yours.
9  All the nations you have 
made shall come
and worship before you, 
O Lord,
and shall glorify your name.
10  For you are great and 
do wondrous things;
you alone are God.
11  Teach me your way, O Lord,
that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name.
12  I give thanks to you, 
O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify your name forever.
13  For great is your steadfast love
toward me;
you have delivered my soul 
from the depths of Sheol.
14  O God, insolent men 
have risen up against me;
a band of ruthless men seeks my life,
and they do not set you before them.
15  But you, O Lord, 
are a God merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding 
in steadfast love and faithfulness.
16  Turn to me and be gracious to me;
give your strength to your servant,
and save the son of your maidservant.
17  Show me a sign of your favor,
that those who hate me may 
see and be put to shame
because you, Lord, have helped me 
and comforted me.

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.