THE IMAGE OF GOD: DEFACED AND RESTORED

Last week I wrote "the image of God in man is defaced and needs to be restored". This image was defaced at the Fall and it is restored in Christ. But what is this "image of God" that man was created to be? What was lost in the Fall, and what is restored by Christ?

There is not 100% agreement about what "the image of God" is. Some suggest that "the image of God" refers to some special ability that man alone has, such as his intellectual ability, or the ability to exercise authority, or the ability to make unforced informed choices. Others suggest that the image of God is ethical; pointing to the fact that only man is an ethical creature. Finally, others see the image as man's ability to have productive relationships with those around him, including God. Perhaps the image of God is a combination of each of these things.

According to Ephesians 4:21-24 and Colossians 3:10 the image of God included at least the following three things that Adam and Eve lost at the Fall. First, they lost their good relationships with God and with each other. They used fig leaves to cover their nakedness from each other (they were shamed and embarrassed), and they hid because they were no longer comfortable with God (Ge 3:7,10). Second, Adam and Eve lost the ability to truly know God, themselves or each other. Finally, because of their sin, Adam and Eve were no longer holy.

These things: holiness, righteousness (right relationships) and true knowledge of God, self and others were lost in the Fall. God restores each of these things to us in Christ (Eph 4:21-24, Col 3:10). What Paul said to the Corinthians is true for us today: God "is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification [i.e. holiness] and redemption" 1 Cor 1:30.

-Chuck-