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Humans were holy and happy in bearing the image of God until the fall. Thereafter the work of Satan shaped their image after his likeness.
Nothing but Divine power can regenerate the human heart and character.
The Son of God came to restore in them the character (image) of their Maker.
He imparts His love to the soul, which manifests in unselfish love to those for whom He died.
Table of contents
- In the image of God at the beginning of creation.
- The Father and Son relationship described through imagery.
- Character transformation and restoration of God’s image through Christ.
- Conclusion on restoring and transformation
In the image of God at the beginning of creation
In the beginning 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 created him;
male and female He created them. Genesis 1:26, 27.
This is the truth the Bible establishes about human character – the reflection of God’s attributes.
Adam and Eve were endowed with the inherent qualities that make them distinct from the rest of all creation.
Thus they mirrored God’s spiritual nature.
Their moral and relational capacity was given to them from day one. Here is the crucial point to understand.
Before the fall they knew only God’s goodness and what is right. They learned this through their relationship with God Himself and the angels.
At this point of time evil on earth didn’t exist yet, though it was there in the universe. The first couple didn’t know what evil is all about.
God gave them special instructions to protect them. For example:
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it. Genesis 2:17.
This was also a test, which they failed. Thus they distrust God by believing Satan’s deceptions.
So, only after the fall they can know good and evil. Since then, God is constantly working in every human being to elevate the ability to:
- Think, reason, and discern between good and evil, right and wrong.
- Make moral choices for good.
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Bojko Belovsky – founder of God’s Love Gateway
My promise to you: Always genuine Christ-centered messages for your life growth now leading to eternity.
The Father and Son relationship described through imagery
In the Son is gathered all the glory of the Father, the fullness of the Godhead. For example:
Who is the brightness of His (God) glory, and the express image of His person,
and upholding all things by the word of His power; Hebrews 1:3.
For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, who is the head of all principality and power. Colossians 2:9, 10.
The glory of the attributes of God is expressed in His character. He was the image of the Father.
Jesus says His mission to represent the Father’s character (glory) was successful.
It is recorded in the New Testament Book of John.
For instance He said:
I have glorified Thee on the earth. I have finished the work which Thou gave me to do.
I have manifested thy name (character) unto the men which thou given me out of the world.
And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it:
that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. John 17:4, 6, 26.
Christ came to our world and gave us a living example of a righteous character to imitate. Every page of the Bible shines with His light.
He is our example in all things. Thus we know how to live and how to keep the way of the Lord.
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Character transformation and restoration of God’s image through Christ
Sin ruined the Divine image in humans from the time of creation. But through Christ this may be restored.
Bringing back the moral image of God in humanity was the purpose of His life and character development.
He exemplified the righteousness of God in His human life. Moreover, He attained perfection, conforming to the requirements of the holy Law of God.
This was accepted by the Father and expressed in His testimony. For example we read in the New Testament Book Of Matthew:
While he yet spoke, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. And behold a voice out of the cloud, which said,
This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him. Matthew 17:5.
As Emmanuel – God with us – He became part of the human family.
By believing and doing the Word of God, He was severing Himself from Satan’s snares.
Thus He had restored the Image of God in humanity. His righteousness is the provision God has made for people’s salvation.
Jesus withstand his most severe temptations in the wilderness with It is written. For example:
And when the tempter (devil) came to him, he said:
If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
But he answered and said, It is written:
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:3, 4.
So, By the righteousness of One the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. Romans 5:18.
Choose restoration now through the righteousness of Jesus.
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Reflecting God’s character in Christian life and conduct
Jesus’ spotless character is before us as an example to imitate. Be mindful that the devil is constantly working to lead people away from that.
For instance:
The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,
lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Corinthians 4:4.
On the other hand, Christian growth and character transformation is what God desires to see in His children.
In particular, the Bible tells us that in the following passages:
God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth;
Where-unto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory (character) of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 14.
To them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness,
through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue; 2 Peter 1:1, 3.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2.
Therefore, we must study, copy and follow Jesus. Thus we’ll bring His loveliness and beauty into our character. This is explain in 2 Corinthians 3:18.
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,
are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Conclusion on restoring and transformation
The sin, which Satan established in our world, changed the image of God in humans.
But Jesus brought to the world definite assurance of hope through His righteous character.
He reshapes our characters after the pattern of His Divine and glorious character.
The Bible enjoins Christians to reflect God’s character in their words and actions. Moreover, to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
Who is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30.
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References:
DA 341 – The Ellen G. White Estate
Where to go from here
- Read 2 Corinthians 4 in KJV BIble – For full chapter study.
- Watch the video – How Did Jesus Reveal The Image Of God (Character)?
- Grow in Christ category – Revealing the character of Jesus in life conduct.
- God’s Love Content Hub – All Christ-centered teaching in one place.
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Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section.
- What resonated with you most in this post, and why?
- What did Jesus use to develop a godly righteous character?
- What practical steps do you take to reflect Christ’s character in your life?
- Reach out if you need more information on this topic.
