What I want my grandkids to know - Part #3 of 5
Over the past two days we established
that within the creation story, in Genesis, are concealed four principles. Each
of them begins with the letter “R”. The first one, RELATIONSHIP we unpacked
yesterday.
As a quick reminder, we mentioned that
the purpose that was lost in the creation story, was restored to us in
the redemption story. Or as the bible puts it, what was lost in the First Adam
was restored in the Last Adam, Jesus.
Understanding and applying each of
the 4 principles, will help us restore God's original purpose. They will enrich
and improve our lives. It is also reassuring to know simply why we exist,
and the reason why were created in the first place.
Okay, without further ado let us
unpack the second letter ‘R’ of purpose, by first reading key scripture
texts together.
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our
likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of
the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing
that creeps on the earth.”
So, God created man in His own image; in the image of God
He created him; male and female He created them.
…For in the image of God He made man.
1. The New Testament writers often write about Jesus
as the image of the invisible God
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all
creation.
who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of
His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power
2.
The New Testament writers also
talk of Jesus’ followers taking on this image of Jesus by the help of
the Holy Spirit
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be
conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among
many brethren.
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 by the Spirit of the Lord.
And as we have borne the image of the man of dust (Adam), we
shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man (Jesus).
One
of the key symbols in the New Testament that denote the work of the Spirit is a
seal – nothing to do with the mammal that swims in the sea though!
Let
me try to unpack this.
You
may remember watching a TV series or a movie set "in days of old when
knights were bold". Examples would be the likes of the Three Musketeers,
Ivanhoe or Robin Hood.
These
medieval defenders of the realm were often depicted as ambassadors carrying sealed
messages from the King. They carried the sealed messages, by horseback,
to important diplomats or foreign dignitaries.
The
King's seal
was on those letters. It was usually either the impress of the Kings engraved
ring or His uniquely embossed stamp. This image-motif was then pressed
onto red molten wax. Such letters were sealed to demonstrate the
authenticity of the message, from none other but the King himself.
Christians
therefore are those that have
·
the
impress of the Spirit
·
the
image of the King
·
the
seal of the Spirit.
A
word study on the word Image informs us that it is the Greek word
charakter, from which we get our English word
character, means
·
"a
stamp" or "an impress," like that on a coin or a seal, in which
case the seal or die makes an impression, bearing the "image"
produced by it.
Just
like our coins in the UK have the image of our Queen, we are to bear
the image of King Jesus, on our hearts and minds.
To
be made in the Image of God therefore is to bear the likeness of
His Character- His very characteristics. Character is resembling Jesus.
This
is our second letter R of purpose – Resemblance
To
resemble means to have a similar
appearance to or qualities in common with someone or something; To look alike
or seem like
My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed
in you,
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed
what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him,
for we shall see Him as He is.
Christians
are to desire that the very characteristics of Jesus be formed in them. They
are to resemble Christ, be His image-bearers.
As
Christ followers we to be conformed to the image of his dear son, conformed
to the very character of Jesus.
The
Spirit wants to indwell us so that we resemble our Lord and King,
Jesus.
Our
Prayer of Purpose:
Thank
you, Lord that you have sent your Spirit that we could be partakers of the
divine nature.
Lord
continue to stamp and to impress me with your Spirit. Work in me the
characteristics of the Spirit. Galatians chapter 5 verse 22,23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 meekness, self-control. Against
such there is no law.
Lord,
help me resemble Jesus, that I could be a messenger of your love, peace,
and joy. Help me in a world in turmoil to be salt and light.
Thank
you for living in me Lord, Amen.
Well,
that’s enough for another day…God bless you.
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