In His Image Rom. 8:28-30

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Conformed sýmmorphos – properly, conformed, by sharing the same inner essence-identity (form); showing similar behavior from having the same essential nature (Phil. 3:10) Before the beginning of our existence God planned that we would be changed so that we took on the image of Jesus.

Gen. 1:26-27 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. 27 So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; both male and female He created them.

Image

Back to Greek 1504 eikn - "be like", "mirror-like representation," referring to what is very close in resemblance, then exactly reflects its source. For example, Christ is the very image of the Godhead (2 Cor 4:4; Col 1:15). "1504 (eikn) assumes a prototype, of which it not merely resembles, but from which it is drawn" (R. Trench) (eikn) then is more than a "shadow"; rather it is a replication.1504

Col. 3:5-11 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. Col. 3:5-11

In The Process of Becoming… Our lives should be in the process of becoming an image of Jesus. His life gives us the image of God who had remained invisible. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Col. 1:15

It is our responsibility to share this image without distortion!

2 Cor. 4:1-4 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. Distort

2 Cor. 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Digital Camera Most of the time the image is a true copy of what the camera saw but not always. Have you taken a blurry picture or one that did not turn out right?

Exact Copy???? God created us in His image to be perfect, but just like a computer can "warp" or change an image until you can't recognize the person in the photo, so sin warped the image of God in us. God, however, sent His perfect image, Jesus Christ, to restore God's image in us as we believe and obey Him as our Savior and Lord.

Pictures or Words? Which do you think would be more accurate, a picture of the person, or a physical description? How about if someone gave you both?

Reflecting Jesus

2 Cor. 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Application What parts of your life best reflect Jesus? What parts need the most transformation? Who is looking to you to see Jesus? How are you using your life and words to make the image more complete? This week lets commit to showing and telling others about Jesus.

Hear Jn. 12:48 Believe Jn. 8:24 Repent Lk. 13:3 Confess Matt. 10:32 Baptized Mk. 16:16 Faithful Matt. 24:13 In His Image