Chapter 4
A Matter of Image
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and
let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the
livestock; over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the
ground.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he
created him; male and female he created them.
It
is, above all else, because of Adam and Eve being created by our Heavenly
Father that makes Him ultimately responsible for their actions—be assured.. For it would be different if He was
just a superior being that came upon them after they reached sentience, and
then took it upon Himself to show them and their descendants how to reach a
higher plane of existence.
Many
in the Christian community would argue that I have missed a critical point
about our creation that changes everything. For it is because of us being
created IN HIS IMAGE that we are fully responsible for our own actions.
Methinks
that they may have missed a point or two, themselves. For a long, hard
look in a mirror should serve as sufficient proof in and of itself that the
image we were all created in is but a poor reflection of our Heavenly Father’s
glory [1 Corinthians 3:11-12]. For who from among us (in the
entire history of mankind) could have ever honestly said that they were
all-powerful, or all-knowing, or always-present—let alone perfect in all of
their own most awesome ways [Psalms 14:1-3]?
The
counter to that is that it was not until after they had sinned that Adam and
Eve’s image became tarnished, and there appears to be Biblical evidence to
support this. For it is true that our Heavenly Father considered
everything He had created in the beginning as being VERY GOOD [Genesis 1:31], and we have been given written confirmation
that only God is good. For it is written: And
Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.” [Mark 10:18 NAS]
However,
if Adam and Eve had of been created as good as our Heavenly Father truly is,
they would not have eaten of the forbidden fruit—now—would they? For our
Heavenly Father is not tempted by sin [James 1:13]!
On
a related note, far too many have been led to believe just the opposite of
that. For it has been widely taught (in one way or another) that Christ
Jesus was not so unlike we naturally are when He walked upon the face of this
world in the flesh [John 1:14].
Much
of this is based upon a misunderstanding of such passages as: But we do see Him
who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because
of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of
God He might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all
things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their
salvation through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who
are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to
call them brethren, saying, “I WILL PROCLAIM YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHREN, IN THE
MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE.” And again, “I WILL
PUT MY TRUST IN HIM.” And again, “BEHOLD, I AND THE CHILDREN WHOM GOD HAS
GIVEN ME.” Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He
Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render
powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free
those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.
For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the
descendant of Abraham. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in
all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in
things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is
able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. [Hebrews 2:9-18 NAS]
Yes,
that does make it sound like Christ Jesus was just like we naturally are before
His resurrection [Luke 24:1-8], but who from among us can honestly
say that we are without sin? For it is written: This
is the message we have heard from Him and announce
to you, that God is Light, and in Him
there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him
and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we
walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one
another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we
say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our
sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have
not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. [1 John 1:5-10 NAS]
Therefore,
how can it be believed that Christ Jesus was not so unlike we naturally are?
For He was indeed completely without sin [2 Corinthians 5:18]!
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