Made in the Image of God

Made in the Image of God I. Overview 1. Adam and Eve were made in the image of God, both inwardly and outwardly. 2. When Adam sinned, he marred his God-like image. 3. Adam's descendents were all made in Adam's marred image, but still retain the image of God to an extent. 4. Jesus Christ is the express image of God. 5. Through Christ, the elect inwardly regain the uncorrupted image of God through regeneration. 6. At the resurrection, the elect will be conformed to the image of Christ (image of God) bodily. II. When God created Adam and Eve, He created them in His image and likeness (Gen 1:26-27; Gen 5:1-2). 1. Image n. - 1. An artificial imitation or representation of the external form of any object, esp. of a person, or of the bust of a person. a. Such an imitation in the solid form; a statue, effigy, sculptured figure. 3. a. abstractly. Aspect, appearance, form; semblance, likeness. (Now only in allusions to, or uses derived from, biblical language, esp. Gen. i. 26, 27.) 2. Likeness n. - 1. The quality or fact of being like; resemblance, similarity; an instance of this. 3. Man was therefore created with an appearance similar to God's. 4. Adam was created in God's image physically. A. God is a spirit (Joh 4:24) which hath not flesh and bones (Luk 24:39). B. Yet God's image has body parts as we have, such as: i. a head: "...Ephraim also is the strength of mine head..." (Psa 60:7) ii. a face: "...Thou canst not see my face..." (Exo 33:20) iii. hair: "...the hair of his head like the pure wool..." (Dan 7:9) iv. eyes: "The eyes of the LORD are in every place..." (Pro 15:3) v. ears: "...saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears..." (Num 14:28) vi. mouth: "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth.." (Isa 55:11) vii. nose: "...These are a smoke in my nose..." (Isa 65:5) viii. bosom: "...pluck it [thy hand] out of thy bosom" (Psa 74:10-11) ix. back: "...thou shalt see my back parts..." (Exo 33:23) x. arms: "mine arms shall judge the people..." (Isa 51:5) xi. hands: "...and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by..." (Exo 33:22) xii. fingers: "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers..." (Psa 8:3) xiii. feet: "...the God of Israel: and there was under his feet..." (Exo 24:10) C. Men today are still made in the image of God as it pertains to our physical bodies. 5. Adam was also made in God's image spiritually. A. God is three in one (1Jo 5:7); Adam was three in one (Gen 2:7 c/w 1Th 5:23). i. God is three persons; Adam was three parts. ii. These are not the same, but they bear some similarity to each other. B. God is good (Psa 100:5), and so was Adam (Gen 1:31). C. God is without sin (Deu 32:4), and so was Adam (Gen 1:31). D. God has dominion over all (1Ch 29:11-12); Adam had dominion over the earth (Gen 1:26). E. God is a rational being (Isa 1:18); Adam was a rational being (Gen 2:19-20). F. God has freewill (Dan 4:35); Adam had freewill (Gen 2:16). 6. Though men were (and still are to some extent) created in the likeness of God, it is a limited likeness (Isa 40:18). 7. Men are not like God in the extent of their knowledge, intellect, power, etc. III. Adam fell into sin and marred his God-like image (Gen 2:17 c/w Gen 3:6 c/w Rom 5:12). 1. There was a marked change in Adam as soon as he sinned (Gen 3:7-12). 2. Adam's nature was no longer good, but evil (Eph 2:1-3). IV. After Adam's fall, he bore children in his own image and likeness (Gen 5:3). 1. We now bear the image of Adam (1Co 15:49). 2. Adam's image is a marred version of God's image (Php 3:21). 3. Man's image is corruptible; God's is not (Rom 1:23). 4. Despite being marred by sin, man is still made in the image of God (Gen 9:6; 1Co 11:7). A. Jesus Christ, who is the image of God (Col 1:15), was made in the likeness of men (Php 2:7), but He doesn't share their sinful nature. B. Fallen man still bears a similitude to God (Jam 3:9). C. Similitude n. - 1. A person or thing resembling, or having the likeness of, some other person or thing; a counterpart or equal; a similarity. D. This is why the fallen body and soul of man is still sacred and should not be cursed, mistreated, abused, or murdered by other men. V. Jesus Christ is the express image of God (Heb 1:3; 2Co 4:4; Col 1:15). 1. Jesus is the last Adam (1Co 15:45). 2. Jesus was made sinless in the image of God like Adam, but the difference is that He remained sinless. VI. Through Christ, the elect regain the uncorrupted image of God through regeneration. 1. The elect were predestinated to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Rom 8:29) who is the express image of God (Heb 1:3). A. In the act of regeneration, the inward man (soul and spirit) is renewed and conformed to the image of Christ (Tit 3:5; Col 3:10). B. The inward man is not corrupt and cannot sin (1Jo 3:9; Rom 7:15-17). 2. Our old man was crucified with Christ and our new man is made alive in His likeness (Rom 6:4-11). 3. Through reading and studying the word of God, the image of a child of God progressively becomes more like God's image. A. The Bible is like a mirror portraying the glory of God; the more we look into it, the more our image reflecting from it resembles the image of God (2Co 3:18). B. By hearing the Bible preached and expounded, we become ever more closely conformed to the image of God in Jesus Christ (Eph 4:11-15). VII. At the resurrection, we will be conformed to the image of Christ bodily. 1. At that time we will be made in the image of God in body, soul, and spirit like Adam originally was. 2. We will awake with God's likeness (Psa 17:15). 3. At the appearance of Christ our vile bodies will be changed like unto His glorious body (Php 3:21; 1Jo 3:2; 1Co 15:51-52).