Saturday January 14, 2017
“Status Update; Image of God”
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being
witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God,
through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no
difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being
justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus –
Romans 3:21-24
God’s Broken Image
The effects of sin. How would you define sin? Broken relationship? Missing the
mark? Falling short of the glory of God? Deviating from the right path?
Rebelling against the King of the universe? All of these are true and describe
our pitiful state in sin. Let’s look at four aspects that shed light on our sad
condition.
I.
The image of God defaced. Have you ever heard of your parents or other adults use “the
image of God” (ko e ki’i ‘imisi ‘o e ‘Otua)
to describe a child? Most of the time, it’s used in a disparaging way; a way of
describing one’s disappointment over a child but anger or full fury is held
back due to the fact that he or she is an “image of God.” Well, what is the “image of God?” Are they physical
characteristics of God in man? A trinity of qualities in man that display the “three-in-oneness”
of God? The ability to reason and have verbal communications like God did in
creation? Here is one that most Bible scholars agree on: God originally made man to
reflect his holy character and his position as bearing rightful rule over all
his creation. “God-like”.
Man was God’s personal representative upon the earth. He was given
creative powers (Gen 1:28); exercised dominion (Gen 1:26); was a creative
workman (Gen 2:15). But when sin entered the picture, God’s plan was distorted.
Man’s profile was turned upside down! Man hid from God (Gen 3:8-10);
interpersonal relationships were destroyed (Gen 3:13-17); the ground was cursed
and man’s labor was a burden rather than a joy (Gen 3:17-19). The saddest of
all, was that the image of God was changed!
How was the image of God changed? Did we lose it? Or do we still have it
but it has been defaced? Rather than reflecting God’s greatness and glory, we
distort his character. Man has taken what God has lavished upon him to enable
him to live in free and joyful obedience, and he transforms it into a weapon by
which to oppose his Maker. The magnitude of his sin is also the measure of his
need of salvation. John Calvin puts it more clearly:
“Adam was at first created in the
image of God, so that he might reflect, as in a mirror, the righteousness of
God. But that image, having been wiped out by sin, must now be restored in
Christ.… Adam lost the image which he had originally received, therefore it is
necessary that it shall be restored to us by Christ. Therefore he teaches that
the design and regeneration is to lead us back era to that end to which we were
created.”
Challenge: The next
time you look into a mirror, remember you were created to reflect God’s glory
and holiness. The “perfect” image that you strive for in appearance in a mirror
or in a “selfie” will always to distorted because of sin. Find your true image
in Christ..all day!
This Day in Christian History:
Jan 14, 1914 – the day Christian medical doctor Lewis Wilson rededicated his life to
God in total surrender, after hearing a message by a minister (M. Gray). …his
prayer should be a great encouragement to any Christian: “my lord, I have treated you like
a servant. When I wanted you, I called for you. Now I give you this body from
my head to my feet. I give you my hands, my limbs, my eyes and lips, my brain. You
may send this body to Africa, or laid on the bed with cancer. It is your body from
this moment on.” He later founded a church and a Bible school and wrote
a best seller, Romance of a Doctor’s
Visit.
Memory Verse: (Sun Jan 8)
Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in
faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. – 2 Timothy 1:13
Ko e anga ē ‘o e ngaahi lea mo‘ui
na‘a ke fanongo ai meiate au, ‘i he tui mo e ‘ofa ‘oku ‘ia Kalaisi Sīsū. – 2 Timote 1:13
Puke ke ma‘u ‘a e sino ‘o e ngaahi lea haohaoa, ‘a ia na‘a ke fanongo ai
‘iate au, ‘io he tui mo e ‘ofa ‘a ia ‘oku ‘ia Kalaisi Sisu (Paaki ‘a Uesi)
Bible Reading Plan: (52 weeks; 5 days a week)
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