In the Image of God (Gen 1:26-28)

In the Image of God (Gen 1:26-28)

Being Human Series 

Collin Leong. April 7, 2017

A. Components of a Human Being

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Mat 22:37) 

Heart – seat of the spirit; ability to relate to the Creator. To Worship His Glory (Deu 2:30)

Soul – seat of will and emotion; ability to relate to creatures. To Walk in His Ways (Hebrews 4:12)

Mind – seat of thought; ability to relate to time (processes and abstracts). To Understand his Word (1Chr 28:9)

Body – seat of senses; ability to relate to space (physical environment). To carry out His Work. (1 Cor 10:31)

The human design is optimised for the purpose of fellowship with God and to carry out His purpose.

B. Creation of the Human Being 

1. Man's kind

1. Genesis 1:26-28

• Animals & Vegetation – “after their kind”
• Man – “in our image; after our likeness”  
• Man is created after the God-kind  

2. Meaning of image

• “In our image” -  ṣǎl·mē; 
• Idol (eg- graven image), statue, inscribed column; figure, replica

• “After our likeness” - ḏemûṯ 
• similitude,model; resemble; liken

3. Dissection of Man

C. Practical Implication of being created in the “image of God”

1. What is the real meaning of “image of God?” 

• “Image of God” is more than merely being “similar” to God in quality and functionality. 
• More importantly, it answers the question of the purpose of man – “Who am I?”, “why am I here?”
• Man is the image (image-bearer; representative; ambassador) of God on earth.  (“let them have dominion over the fish…birds…cattle…wild animals…creeping things”) 
• “In our image” -  ṣǎl·mē; = Idol (eg- graven image); Example: ancient kings made statues resembling themselves all over their kingdom. The statues or idols reminds the people of the king and that this is his kingdom.
• We were designed to be ambassadors of God even before the fall. After the fall, the New Testament reminds us of our chief role:  “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors” Eg, statues of royal priesthood across his kingdom." (2 Cor 5:20)

2. What is the implication of this understanding?

a) Reason why the human body and idendity are sacred

• Genesis 9:6 – “Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man”
• Identity is sacred. Not to curse humans:  James 3:9 – “cursing people who are made in the likeness of God”  (Murdering Reputation) 

b) Reason why Idols are forbidden

• God has already created his “idols” (ṣǎl·mē) to represent Him on earth – mankind. No other created things is acceptable for this role.
• Man-made idols puts an false intermediary between man and God, and destroys the intimate fellowship He desires.  
• Act 17:28-29 - ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’  “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill.

c) Reason why earthly kings are discouraged

• Ancient kings were considered god-like, sometimes referred to as “sons” of one god or another
• God’s plan is to have his Son (Jesus)  to be ruler of rulers (man).   
• Psalms 2:6-7: “ Yet have I set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion.  I will declare the decree:  The LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son;  This day have I begotten thee.
• I Peter 2:9-12. “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God” (v. 9).

D. JESUS – The perfect Image-Bearer of God

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

(Colossians 1:15)

"What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little[a] lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet." In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. 

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

(Hebrews 2:5-9) 

E. Discussion/ Sharing

• What do you think it means to be created in God’s image?
• In understanding the image of God, what does it say about our identity — who are we?
• From the passage, what did God command man to do?
• Knowing we are His image-bearers, created with qualitative, functional and relational aspects, how has this change the way you view yourself and how you  relate to other people (e.g. workplace, home, school)?
• How do you feel about God after understanding His design and purpose of you?