Reflections on the image of God
A simple photograph of an evergreen tree reflecting in a puddle. There’s nothing unusual about it. You can’t see the tree itself, but you know it’s there and what it looks like.
Even if someone walks through the puddle, you’ll still see the reflection; it won’t be as clear, but it will be there. That’s the nature of reflections.
In a way, the bible talks about reflections. It uses the word image.
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…’
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:26-27
We are created “imago Dei” in the image of God. Our lives reflect Him. All people carry that image to some degree, even if it sonly hows the absence of God in their lives. He is still magnified because the absence of God in some lives shows the difference of having Him in someone’s life.
Every person’s life has value because it is in the image of God, that is, ontological dignity.
We are designed to be in relationship with God and others. His image gives us relational capacity.
Since we represent God, we are to show His character. That is our moral vocation.
As image bearers, we are given dominion to manage, not exploit the resources He gave us (or every type). We have representative dominion – we act as His ambassadors and stewards.
Believers have a calling to better representation since we have been saved and Holy Spirit dwells in us.
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that 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. Colossians 3:5-10
What kind of an image are you reflecting. If people watched the puddle of your life, would the tree be seen more clearly over time? Would God be magnified even more by the way you represent Him, and compared to Jesus over time?
May the imago Dei be ever more clear in you. May you bring Him more glory day by day.
Be blessed