What do you think of when I say the word “image”? When you look in a mirror, what do you see? An image of you, right?! Do you cringe at what you see or praise God when you see your image or reflection? Does God’s image look back at you as you study your reflection?
We all have some part of ourselves we do not like and would like to change—our weight, hair color, and eye color. Some may see a doctor and have surgery on that part we don’t like.
We also have some parts we like and will highlight as much as possible. But no matter what we like or don’t like about ourselves, we must remember that we were made special and unique.
Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Fearfully and wonderfully made! That should be reason enough to praise God!
In Genesis 1, we read that God created the heavens and the earth. He spoke, and it was light, land, sea, and all the creatures on the land, sea, and air. All He said was, “Let there be…” And there it was, and it was good.
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image.” Now, He could have done just like before and said, ” Let there be man, and there was man, but God wanted this Creation to be different, unique from all the other creations He had made.
Now, for the next few minutes, let’s put on our imagination hats and return to the beginning of Creation!
God looks around and sees all the animals, the plants, and everything He just made, and is pleased, saying, “This is good.” Then he said there was one more thing he wanted to make. Something that will be special and that can have a relationship with Us.
Then He gets down in the dirt and begins using His hands to make cells out of the specks of dirt. This set of cells will become bones; this set, skin; and here are a liver, a brain, a heart, and even cells that will become strands of hair, which, as He places on the head, He counts every one of them. Now, as He is making this form, He sees into the future and all the generations to come, and guess who He sees? You and me.
Then God looks over at Jesus, and He says to Him. “You know they will let sin come between us and will no longer have a close relationship with us. The only way they can come to me will be through You.
Are you willing, Son, to become like them, remaining sinless, to be beaten, bruised, spit on, rejected, then hung on a cross to die? To be buried and raised three days later by My Power. Are you willing to do this for them, my Son?”
Then Jesus looks at this form and, looking into the future, sees all the generations, and He sees you and me. Then looks into the Father’s eyes and says. “I see all this you have said will happen, and I know the separation that sin will bring between us and them and that Eternity without a sacrifice will be in Hell.
Yes, Father, I am willing to be their sacrifice and to let my blood be poured out for them so they may spend Eternity with Us.” So God the Father shakes His head, leans over, takes a breath, and blows His Holy Spirit into Adam’s nose, and life begins for man created in God’s image.
The Word says we are created in God’s image, yet we do not know what He looks like physically. In Exodus 33:20, God tells Moses that no one may see His face and live.
When Jesus walked on earth, his physical appearance was ordinary. Nothing about his human form said, “This is God.” So, what does being made in God’s image look like?
I asked God this, and He showed me a couple of Scriptures that can help answer this question.
Genesis 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
John 4:24 God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship him in Spirit and in truth.
Job 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
These Scriptures speak of the Spirit of God, His image. In Galatians, we find a list of characteristics that describe the Fruit of the Spirit.
“But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22
Let’s look briefly at each characteristic of the Spirit with a definition and some Scripture verses, and as we do, consider whether you are reflecting God’s image in these characteristics.
Love is patient; love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. And now, these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-13
The entire Bible is God’s love letter to us. If we look at these verses closely, each characteristic of the Fruit of the Spirit is present. And they all have LOVE as the foundation. “But the greatest of these is love.”
In the Webster’s Dictionary Online, it describes love as:
1. strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties
2. unselfish, loyal, and benevolent concern for the good of another: as (1) the fatherly concern of God for humankind (and a few others).
We can read the Book of Philippians and learn about joy!
Luke 2:13-14 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.
Definition of joy:
1 a: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires: delight b: the expression or exhibition of such emotion: gaiety
2: a state of happiness or felicity: bliss
3: a source or cause of delight
Job 22:21 says, “Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way, prosperity will come to you.
Psalm 4:8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Definition of peace:
1: a state of tranquility or quiet: a: as freedom from civil disturbance b: a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom.
2: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
3: Harmony in personal relations
4: a: a state or period of mutual concord between governments b: a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity
5: used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell
James 5:7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.
Proverbs 19:11: A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
Definition for Patient
the capacity, habit, or fact of being patient
1: bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint
2: manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain
3: not hasty or impetuous
4: steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity
Leviticus 19:34 The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
Esther 2:7 Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither Father nor Mother. This girl, who was also known as Esther, was lovely in form and features, and Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her Father and mother died.
Definition of Kindness:
1: a kind deed: favor
2: a: the quality or state of being kind
Exodus 33:19 And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Psalm 31:19 How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.
Definition of Goodness:
1: the quality or state of being good (Definition for Good: of a favorable character or tendency)
2: used interjectionally or in phrases especially to express mild surprise or shock <oh, my goodness !> <goodness knows>
3: the nutritious, flavorful, or beneficial part of something
Isaiah 25:1 O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.
Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.
Definition of faith:
1: steadfast in affection or allegiance: loyal
2: firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty: conscience
3: given with strong assurance: binding
4: true to the facts, to a standard, or an original
Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
1 Peter 3:15 But set apart Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be prepared to answer anyone who asks you for the reason for your hope. But do this with gentleness and respect.
Definition of Gentleness:
The quality or state of being gentle, especially mildness of manners or disposition
Titus 1:8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
Definition of self-control:
Restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions, or desires
I didn’t go into detail today, but I wanted to give an overview of these characteristics of the Spirit, God’s image. I encourage and challenge you to study each one more. Ask God to grow your weaker image characteristics and praise Him for the stronger ones.
When we allow these nine characteristics of His Spirit to live and grow inside us, we reflect our Creator’s image. We are to worship Him, and as we worship and draw closer to Him, we will reflect His image to those around us.
Look in the mirror again. Ask God to show you the real YOU that HE created. Ask God to help you see yourself through His eyes and remember that you were created in His image and that He loves you!
Last week we read about three lies we believe and replace with God’s truth. These lies often bring us down, but God’s truth tells us who we are in Jesus.
John 4:24 God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.” https://www.biblehub.com/john/4-24.htm
WWFTD dictionary – ABC. http://tsuwm.com/abc.htm
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1PE.1.8
Joy | Definition of joy by Merriam-Webster. http://merriam-webstercollegiate.com/dictionary/joy
Peace Series: My Peace I Give You | Bryan Hodge. https://bryanhodge.net/2016/07/28/peace-series-my-peace-i-give-you/
Perseverance + Persistence + Patience = Payoff – Melinda Maysonet. http://www.melindamaysonet.com/perseverance-persistence-patience-payoff/
What is the biblical meaning of goodness? – Leagueslider.com. https://leagueslider.com/what-is-the-biblical-meaning-of-goodness/
Faith is faithful – Knox Ladies Seminar. http://www.knoxladiesseminar.us/devotional/faith-is-faithful
