A new drug in the culture we live in is the marketing of image. Note that I did not say image itself. Platform is the elevation of image. How high one can elevate oneself in order to receive more likes, hearts and retweets. And when we receive a lot of these marks that increase the value of our image, the high of it might last a day if we’re lucky, but it’s more likely hours or a few minutes of short lived value. The truth is we are made to have an image. We are made to have value. Our value is what was paid for us on the cross. We are even made to want an image. Here are two markers of God-given image that will be your compass in an image driven culture:
- God generously was not slow to give us His image. I guess He knew we would desire image. After all, He made us in HIS image. “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (GENESIS 1:27 NASB) This makes us God’s image bearers. He trusted humans to be the ones to reveal His image, and when He made us He instantaneously gave us His image!!!
- God’s exact image is Jesus. Human’s image was marred by sin, but God graciously started over in the plan to give humans His image. He gave His image first to Adam. Note what Paul calls Jesus… the second Adam! “So also it is written, ‘The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven.” (1 Cor 15:45-47 NASB) In fact, this is what the Word exclaims about Jesus: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” (COLOSSIANS 1:15 NASB). God shows us His image again!!! [tweetable author=”@toddlollar”] If you want to know what God looks like, look at Jesus!!! [/tweetable]
So am I telling you to avoid the image driven culture? No! I’m telling you the exact opposite. We are made for image! To know what our image was meant to be, we look to Jesus. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV) As Jesus followers, we are in Christ! In fact, let’s be more passionate about our image by reflecting through our lives the image of Jesus!!! Every morning, I encourage you to look in the mirror and see Jesus! Then I want you to feel the amazing mission you are made for…. to bear His image to others as God is continually transforming you to the image of Jesus! This verse explains much clearer than me: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 CORINTHIANS 3:18 NASB) How valued you are to be entrusted with the image of Jesus more and more everyday!
What specific opportunities do you have daily to reveal Jesus’ image among your three spheres of influence; your co-workers, friends and family? How does it make you feel that God wants to reveal His image through YOU?! Comment and continue the conversation below.
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