My family’s roots on my mother’s side are from the South; specifically, Tennessee. In the backwoods of that beautiful state you’ll commonly hear the phrase, “Why, he’s the spittin’ image of his daddy!” It’s a term used to identify similarities such as characteristics, looks, or personality between the child and a parent. ‘Back in the day,’ as my son Paul likes to say, the original term was ‘spirit and image’, because people believed that when a child was born the parents lived on through them (Deuteronomy 28:4; Psalm 128:3). This is one reason why children in biblical times were considered such a blessing.
Genesis 1:26 tells us that God made us in His image, which is why there is so much value placed on life in the Scriptures. When someone murders another, or aborts an unborn fetus, he is killing an image that God created. In definition, the word ‘image’ signifies a spiritual, intellectual, and moral likeness. In the Old Testament, the word image does not signify an exact duplicate, but only the shadow of the original, representing the prototype in an imprecise manner and lacking the essential characteristics of the original. So, while God created us in His image, we are not an exact duplicate of Him. We are absent from the essential characteristics that would require us to be a ‘mirror image.’ In Cor. 4:4, we are told that Christ is the image of God. Indeed, in this instance, they are one in the same. God’s image is not reflected in physical form, but in Spirit, or breath. Jesus reflected the Spirit of God, and Scripture admonishes us to be like Jesus.
It is amazing that we possess, regardless of our surroundings, childhoods, or influences, and a natural sense of right and wrong. We also have an innate curiosity to know where we came from and to understand who God is. These intuitions are given to us by God as He shaped us in Him image before birth.
We are like God in many ways; we communicate and can bless or curse (James 3:9); we are creative, which gives us joy and satisfaction (Proverbs 31:13-22); we experience emotions and feelings and long for relationship and fellowship (Psalm 16:11); we can discern right from wrong (Is. 6:5); we act and are responsible for our actions (John 3:18); and we long to pursue Him (Luke 10:42).
Conversely, we adapt to the world’s image when we partake of its morals, intellect, and religions. We assume the image of that which we worship. The word ‘image’ means to ‘mirror something.’ If you’ve ever been to a circus or carnival and stood in front of a ‘fun mirror,’ you’ll see a distorted view of yourself. It’s always reassuring to look into a real mirror afterwards and see that you really aren’t as tall or wide as the carnival mirrors make you look. Similarly, the world will give us a distorted view of who we are and who we need to be. It will tell us that success, money, status, and honor make a man. But that is not the truth. The Word of God will give you a clear image of who you are in Christ by the pure reflection of Jesus (2 Cor. 3:18).
I have worked for years as a counselor for abused children. It has always fascinated me that regardless of the abuse that biological parents impose upon their child, and regardless of how perfect the foster or adopted parents are, most children still want to have a relationship with their biological parents. It is normal and natural to want to gain knowledge and understanding of one’s background. It helps us understand who we are and who we aren’t.
The problem is, we forget who we are in Christ and repeatedly return to the ‘fun mirror’ image provided by the enemy. When we attempt to become like that distorted image, we fail and are miserable. The issue is that we are seeking an identity in the wrong mirror. Our roots, identity, and genealogy are located in the Bible. If we want to know more about who we are as well as who we are trying to become, we need to get in the Word and seek out who we are through Christ Jesus.
If we are to reflect the image of Christ we need to learn more about His character, His behavior, and His expectations of us through His example while on earth. There are two prime places to go to learn these life-changing characteristics; in the Bible and in His presence through prayer. Remember that we take on the image of that which we worship. Consider for a moment what you and your life say about who or what you worship. Becoming Christ-like or reflecting the image of Jesus come by denying the world and self and accepting or receiving that which is of the Lord. It is only then that we will be truly happy and others will be drawn to us.
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