HUMAN BEINGS WERE MADE TO “IMAGE” GOD

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This life-changing truth comes from Martyn Isle’s book WHO AM I? Solving the identity puzzle.

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

When we read that verse we learn that mankind clearly reflected and embodied something that was God’s. In Colossians and Ephesians, the Apostle Paul connects the “new self”, after we have received the Holy Spirit, with the image of God, and in doing so he tells us what the image is.

“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11

“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Colossians 3:9-10

The same thought is expressed in Ephesians, this time the “new self” is described according to the likeness of God, which is also Genesis 1:27 language. The template of the “new self” is the image and likeness of God.

“Be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:23-24

Scripture tells us that the whole of God’s nature may be summarised in that sacred word “HOLY”. First, it means sinless and perfect. So Adam and Eve were made sinless and perfect. But when we refer to the holiness of God, it refers to all aspects of His perfection and character traits. So we can assume that all of God’s character traits were able to be demonstrated by Adam and Eve because of their holiness. They were able to radiantly image Him and reflect His glory. This includes His love, grace, mercy, righteousness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, etc. But to be made in God’s image means to be made with the knowledge of God. Adam and Eve knew God. They spoke to Him directly, and He with them, so rationality, objectivity, creativity, love, and other such abilities cannot be irrelevant to God’s image. We have all these unique abilities so that we may apply them to the great high calling of God’s image on the human race. They enable us to be holy. They enable us to act righteously. They enable us to know God. These are the ends for which they are designed. This is what we should use our special faculties for. The more we know about God, the more we discover who we ought to be, and the more we want to be that person.

Take the human mind as one example. It is unique. We apply it rightly when we use it to grow in the knowledge of God. When the mind is renewed by that knowledge, it changes our whole person, teaching us to reject sin, embrace righteousness, and be holy. It also animates our lives to do small and big things in a way that serves God.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

When we understand the truth about what God’s image is, we understand the high calling on our lives. Mostly, when we hear people say that humans are made in God’s image, we hear them say it as if that’s the end of the story. It is not the end of the story. It is better to put it this way: human beings were made to image God. We should not think about it as a status, we should think about it as our calling.

It is our calling to be holy, righteous, and to know God. It is how we live up to our purpose of bearing God’s image.

THE FEAR OF THE LORD

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Concerning The Fear of the Lord, God has spoken to the Timothy 2 Team (www.Timothy2.org) in this way: “The Fear of the Lord has all but left My Church. It must return if the ‘Church’ is to stand. It must return if the ‘Church’ is to make a difference. I am about to judge My ‘Church’, and the first thing that will be judged is the lack of The Fear of the Lord!”

The Dictionary says: “Fear: Awe or reverence for God, to have reverential regard for, as to fear the Lord.”
The Bible says:
“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil….” Proverbs 8:13
“…by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.” Proverbs 16:6 “The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech, I hate. Proverbs 8:13 “He that walks in his uprightness fears the Lord: but he that is perverse in his ways despises him.” Proverbs 14:2 “Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.” Proverbs 3:7 “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” Job 28:28

Each of us must ask ourselves this question: Do I really hate evil; have I really departed from evil, or is there a compromise in my own life? Have I allowed the values of the world to become my values? When I discover evil in my own life, do I confront it and get rid of it, or do I make excuses for it? Do I encourage purity and The Fear of the Lord in the lives of those for whom I am responsible to teach and disciple? These are very serious questions. We cannot be in bed with evil and claim to fear the Lord.

The Lord has commanded in Leviticus 19:2 “You shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.” But the only way that we can live an untainted life in a world filled with darkness is by walking in the Fear of the Lord. It is “The Spirit of the Fear of the Lord” that produces holy and righteous living in us. Also, it is through the Fear of the Lord that we gain access to an intimate relationship with God: Psalms 24:3-4 “Who shall ascend to the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart…” Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good? Deuteronomy 10:12-13

“You shall not fear other gods, but you shall fear the Lord your God, and he will deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies.” 2 Kings 17:39

“The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. Psalms 19:8-9

What tremendous blessings are in store for those who choose to walk in the Fear of the Lord!

“And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; and shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears.” Isaiah 11:2-3

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” John 16:13

Note the six attributes of the Spirit of the Lord (Holy Spirit) given by Isaiah: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, and the spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord. The seventh attribute is given by Jesus in the N.T., the Spirit of truth. When the Bible speaks of the Seven Spirits of God it is referring to these seven attributes.

God the Holy Spirit is also known as “The Seven Spirits of God”. (Revelation 1:4, 5) Since there is only ‘one’ Holy Spirit, God shows us that the “Seven Spirits” are actually seven ‘Attributes’ of the Holy Spirit.

When we are born again Jesus made it possible for our Heavenly Father to send the third person of the Trinity to indwell our spirit which was God’s plan from the beginning: Proverbs 20:27 says: “The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord,“, Our spirit is the lamp of the Lord which requires oil, the Holy Spirit, to function properly. When Adam and Eve rebelled against God, the Holy Spirit departed their spirits immediately so they died spiritually and then died physically some nine hundred years later.

As we have just covered, the primary attribute of the Holy Spirit is Fear of the Lord. Now that the Holy Spirit has been restored to our spirit as our Counsellor, Teacher and Comforter, all seven attributes of the Holy Spirit are available to us.

“The Seven Spirits of God” are made available to us through the ‘Fullness’ of the Holy Spirit. This is not to be confused with the ‘Charisma Gifts’ or the ‘Fruit of the Spirit’. Rather it is walking in the ‘Fullness’ of “The Seven Spirits of God”.

EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO FEARED THE LORD

ABRAHAM: “He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now, I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” Genesis 22:12

HEBREW MIDWIVES OF MOSES TIME
Read Exodus 1:15-21 for the full story.
“But the midwives feared God, and did not as the King of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.” Exodus 1:17

ISRAEL
“And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses.” Exodus 14:31

“And he [Saul] took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.” 1 Samuel 11:7, see 1 Samuel 11:1-7

THE EARLY CHURCH

“And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.” Acts 2:43
“Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. Acts 9:31

BLESSINGS FOR THOSE THAT FEAR THE LORD

Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! Psalms 34:9 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him,” Psalms 25:14 “For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.” Psalms 103:11
“The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” Psalms 147:11
“Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy.” Psalms 33:18
“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.” Psalms 103:13
“And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.” Luke 1:50 “O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.” Psalms 34:9
“He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.” Psalms 145:19
“Surely his salvation is near to them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.” Psalms 85:9
“The fear of the Lord leads to life: and he that has it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.” Proverbs 19:23
“The angel of the Lord encamps round about them that fear him, and delivers them.” Psalms 34:7
“You that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.” Psalms 115:11
“In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” Proverbs 14:26-27
“The fear of the Lord prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.” Proverbs 10:27
“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.” Proverbs 22:4
“Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.” Proverbs 15:16
“Oh, how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for them that fear you; which you have wrought for them that trust in you before the sons of men!” Psalms 31:19
“Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord; that walks in his ways. For you shall eat the labour of your hands: happy shall you be, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of your house: your children like olive plants round your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that fears the Lord. The Lord shall bless you out of Zion: and you shall see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, you shall see thy children’s children, and peace be upon Israel.” Psalms 128:1-6 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:2-5

There are more, many more perhaps I will do another post on the Fear of the Lord.

RIGHTEOUS BY FAITH ALONE

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Anything that is not birthed out of faith is fatally flawed by sin.

“For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” Romans 14:23

According to Isaiah without faith even our righteous deeds are “like a polluted garment”.

“We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.” Isaiah 64:6

The reality is that anyone outside the saving faith of Christ are dead people, spiritually dead and therefore only capable of doing wretched, sinful things. From birth this is the reality for us all. We need to be clothed in His righteousness and this can only be done when we repent and put our faith in Jesus, the only one who can make us righteous, and that is by being clothed in His righteousness.

“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” Romans 3:10-12

The book of Job teaches us much about faith. Believing that God is good despite the apparent evidence to the contrary, Job rested in faith alone. In the depths of agony he could still proclaim, “I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 9:25). In the end, God silenced all discussion with the truth that He alone is wise (chs. 38–41). Yet, He vindicated Job’s trust in Him (ch. 42), proving that genuine faith cannot be destroyed.

The gospel is the power of God for salvation for in it the righteousness of God is revealed but it is by faith that we live the Christian life.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes… For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith (or beginning and ending in faith), as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

JESUS AS A MAN OF WAR

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“You are going to see the Man of war that I am, for I have not come to bring peace, but to bring the sword with which to rightly divide the sheep from the goats, the true from the counterfeit and the religious from the pure in heart.

Those who only see Jesus as the gentle Lamb of God forget that He is also the fierce Lion of Judah. When Jesus said, “I am meek and lowly” (Matt. 11:29), He did not mean that He is soft, timid or weak. Rather, He is power under control.

In Revelation 1:12-18, we read that the glorified Christ has eyes of blazing fire, feet of bronze, a voice like rushing waters, a face like the sun and a sword coming out of His mouth. This image made the apostle John fall at his feet as though dead—and it should fill us with awe and wonder that such a great and holy God would give His life for us.

Do not question the Potter as to the clay He chooses to mould and shape. Many question God’s choice of Donald Trump for President of the USA and yet he has supported Christian values with the appointment of conservative Supreme Court judges, he is pro Israel, recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, he is pro life and pro traditional family. He delights in having Christians pray for him even in public. He is God’s wrecking ball, a man who is not afraid to war against those who oppose God in the high places of darkness and deception.

Recently, we have seen God appoint Christian leaders in Australia, Brazil, Guatemala and all were most unlikely candidates. Collective fasting and prayer can cause God to step in and change circumstances and I am sure this was the case in all three of these nations. God is always on the move. The question is are we in step with Him?

 Are you in a church that believes and preaches the inerrant word of God, that understands we are in the “last days,” and is raising up disciples to reach out to the lost? Do we know God’s call on our life and are we pursuing it, totally, trusting in Him for guidance and provision? Are we prepared for the coming tribulation even great tribulation?