Tag: imago dei

  • Reflections

    Created in the image of God

    rainbow

    This weekend, we tried a new walking spot. We headed to the Cheam Wetlands Park, due east of Chilliwack and north of Bridal Veil Falls. We had the grandkids and only a short window of time, so it was a quick exploration to see if we would return and check it out more thoroughly at another time.

    There is a shallow lake and plenty of little streams. A boardwalk connects two small islands. Over 150 species of birds have been spotted there, although we saw only some waterfowl.

    It was a pretty little spot, and we will go again another day.

    We were pleasantly surprised to see a rainbow clearly reflected in one of the channels. I couldn’t help but video it. Check it out here:

    It’s almost impossible to tell the sky side from the water side. It’s a delightful reflection.

    You and I are created in the image of God.

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

    He knew from before time began which of us would be even further refined into the image of Christ.

    For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29 ESV

    Oftentimes, when I look at myself in the mirror, I don’t see a lot of Jesus reflected back. Sometimes, there might be some of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) reflected. I can be as rebellious and self-centered as the most vile of sinners.

    I remember Paul’s words and relate too well.

    For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. Romans 7:15-20 ESV

    It can be very discouraging.

    Then, I remember else that Paul wrote,

    And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 ESV

    I’m not where I want to be yet. Still, in small ways, I’m more Christ-like than I was before. He loves me. He sealed me, The Spirit indwells me. I have the Word to guide me.

    I might not be the perfect reflection yet, but I can hold fast to the truth that He isn’t finished with me yet.

    Hold on my dear friends. He isn’t finished with us yet. One day we will be all He created us to be.

    Kevin

    You Might Also LIke

    Right beliefs or right living?

    Where are you rooted?

    The good news of the gospel

    Some further reflections

  • Chipped Chisels

    Being shaped by God to be like Christ

    Chipped chisel blade

    I recently watched a home improvement reel online,  which made me remember a minor project I had done years ago. I had to adjust the striker plate hole on a door, a two-minute task.

    I knew where my chisels were. Sure enough, right in the tool chest drawer, all except the one I needed. After twenty minutes of searching, I found where it had fallen off a shelf. Great! Problem solved.

    Unfortunately, not so fast. The blade’s fall onto the concrete caused a big divot. It was large enough to have to be ground out and then resharpened, which took about an hour.

    At last, I was ready to fix the door. It took about two minutes. Five years of procrastination, an hour and a half to find and prepare the tools, All that for a two-minute job.

    There are many parallels to my faith walk. Although I had heard the gospel, I didn’t come to Christ until my thirties. Once I recognized the need, coming to him was relatively simple.

    I was forgiven at that moment, but then the real work began. I needed to be reground and reshaped into his image, and that is an ongoing process.

    I had a lot of lousy thinking to overcome. I had much to learn about Jesus … the Spirit … and the Father. I had to begin to read the Bible and listen to sermons. I had to start to put what I was learning into practice.

    I had to learn to love and forgive others. I had to learn to trust in Jesus to do what He promised. I had to endure rejection from most of my extended family because of my newfound faith.

    When I tried to put what I was learning into practice, I often found that my blade was still pretty dull and needed honing. Sometimes, I was too aggressive and zealous in my approach to people, and sometimes, I was too passive. Sometimes, I tried to change things under my own power, not His. My heart was often right, but I did or said the wrong thing.

    Yet, He continued to work despite the foibles and follies. He never gave up on me. At times, I even saw victory. The process continues today.

    Sometimes, big divots need to be removed, and it can hurt. Other times, it’s just a gentle feathering touch on the blade. Still, other times, we are amazed to see how God works through us despite our dullness.

    The Bible uses different metaphors, but it emphasizes the need to remain close to Jesus and the ongoing shaping and refining.

    We start the process by accepting Jesus and begin the lifelong journey of becoming like him.

    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this, you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9 ESV

    I don’t know where you are in your faith walk. Maybe you are in the procrastination phase and putting off trusting Jesus. Please know that salvation is a time-limited offer. None of us knows the hour of our death or the hour of His return. When that happens, it is too late.

    Maybe you are being pruned, refined, and sharpened. To some degree, we all remain there until we go to be with the Lord. It’s not always a pleasant process, but it is a worthwhile journey, and there are many times of great joy and gratitude that come with the grinding and shaping.

    Eventually, all those who are His will be with Him for eternity, and the job will be completed. We will be all He has created us to be. We will be prepared for whatever blessings and tasks He has uniquely crafted us to do with/for Him in glory. That will be an indescribable joy.

    Until next time, rejoice in the reshaping because what He has planned for us is beyond our greatest expectations.

    Kevin

    Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

    You might enjoy

    The Bible is a library – an approach to reading it

    Your identity in Christ

    The gift of fear – fear the Lord

    Lost and Found