Reflecting Glory

Before considering the meaning of the image of God in man, I think it is helpful to understand the purpose of the image. All images exist for the purpose of directing the observer’s attention and thoughts to the reality represented by that image. When we travel to historic places and see statues of famous people, we are prompted not necessarily to consider the beauty or greatness of the statue itself, but to remember the life and accomplishments of the person represented by the statue. Photographs of family and friends are quite worthless in and of themselves, but are treasured as prized possessions when they remind us of what someone was like and our time shared with them. In the same way, the image of God in man is not given for the purpose of exalting or glorifying man, but that we may learn something about the nature of God.

In the Genesis creation account, God creates animals and plant life, darkness and light, land and sea and many other things. He does not, however, bestow upon any of these elements the status of being made in the image of God. This quality is given to man alone.

Because of this, we can learn about the meaning of God’s image in man by drawing comparisons between man, who has been made in God’s image, and other elements of God’s creation not created in His image.

Part of God’s image in man means that man is able to exercise free choice. My understanding of nature is that animals do not have the freedom to choose, but are driven by instincts of self-preservation and other environmental factors. Where apparent choices are made, the animal is simply seeking to avoid pain or death, or to find food, or to reproduce. Animals do not have free choice, but are ruled by their natural instincts of self-preservation.

Humans, on the other hand, have been given freedom to choose those things that are contrary to self-preservation. Oddly enough, these choices which run contrary to self-preservation are the very choices, in many cases, which God has required from us.

A look at the Ten Commandments is very revealing on this subject. The fourth commandment (Sabbath) requires that God’s people rest on the seventh day of the week. As a result, they cannot engage in many activities which serve their need for survival. The sixth commandment (murder) prohibits man from putting to death one who would cause him harm, whether to his person or to his possessions. The seventh commandment (adultery) restricts man’s procreative desire. The eighth commandment (steal) prohibits man from taking what does not belong to him so that he may have increased security. The ninth commandment (false testimony) requires that man tell the truth even when it does not benefit him. Finally, the tenth commandment (covet) requires that man be satisfied and content with the things that he has without seeking to hoard possessions or provisions.

Now, let’s return to our discussion on the image of God and how free choice plays a part in manifesting God’s image through humans.

In Hebrews 1, it is said of Jesus that He is the “exact representation of [God’s] being.” Romans 8:29 says that the goal of the Christian life is to be conformed to this image. This means that as we seek to conform our character to that of Christ’s, our lives will more fully reflect the image of God in us.

How is this life to be pursued? How is God’s image more fully reflected in our character? Through faith! It is my contention that God’s image is most fully realized in us when we make choices not based on the desire for self-preservation as the animals do, but based on our faith in the truth of God’s Word, which many times runs contrary to our desires for self-protection and self-preservation.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes the normal Christian life, which is a life lived by faith. He says that when people strike you on the cheek, you don’t go into self-protection mode, but offer your assailant the other cheek. When someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, you give to them your cloak as well. When you are tempted to worry in self-protection, look to God who clothes the lilies of the field and the sparrows in the sky. And when you are tempted to retaliate against an enemy to protect your own interests, you love and pray for them “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”