Image of God

 God is love. From eternity, before the creation, the members of the Trinity were in a loving interconnection with one another. To me true love seems impossible unless more than one person is involved. Also, each person must have a free will, otherwise the relationship is somehow forced or manipulated.

God decided to invite more persons into their relationship. First they created Adam. But he was the only member who was flesh and blood; God is spirit. So Eve was created to be Adam's companion. Out of the intimate union of Adam and Eve many more humans were to be created in the image of God.

The image we reflect is essential to God when he spends time with us. He needs to see his own image in us. When our first parents sinned that image was damaged: "in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" (Genesis 2:17).  One could think of a mirror which is very badly scratched. They did die relationally when they ate of the forbidden fruit. After that God connected with them in rituals which included the shedding of blood of an innocent animal. Maybe he could "see" his image in them by looking ahead to "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). We, the descendants of Adam and Eve, also inherit a damaged image of God. That is why we sin.

When God connects with us he does so through the mediation of the "Son of man", the words Jesus used when he referred to himself. "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9). He sees the image of his dear Son when he relates to believers. To those who accept him he gives the right to become children of God (John 1:12). Jesus represents mankind before the throne.

Since the Fall humans have had the tendency to avoid God, just like Adam and Eve. But the Father's plan was to restore us. First our sin is taken away when we trust in Jesus' sacrifice. Then we have to "grow in godliness" (2 Peter 1:5-7). The new I, the born-again me, must be a "little Christ". We sell ourselves short if we have lower expectations. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). God loves the image of his Son in us. The sinful nature I inherited from Adam will forever be gone when I die. Thankfully Jesus showed us how keen the Father is to live with us, even now while we are still struggling to do his will. He also sent the Holy Spirit to represent Jesus while Jesus intercedes for us at the right hand of God.