Wednesday 17 February 2016

The Image of God

... and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. Rom 1:23

I was mediating on this scripture and asked God to ensure that I have the right image of Him and not one that traded His Glory for a lie, even of my own making, and this got me to think about God's image.  How do we, incorruptible created beings, see God in truth and purity?

The answer, of course, is in Jesus Christ.

... seeing it is God who said, "Light will shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor 4:6

Jesus came to show us the father for He is the "image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation." Col 1:15.  So who is this Jesus?  How do we see Him, for if we look intently at Him, we should clearly see the Heavenly Father, creator of all things in Heaven and earth.  It is one thing to know God is the Creator but we need to see His relationship with us created beings, and how He so longed to make Himself known, that He sent Jesus to reveal Himself through His precious Son.

There are beautiful aspects of God's nature that Jesus so clearly displayed.  The first is LOVE as Jn 3:16 tells us.  God so loved us that He sent His only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  Jesus loved us so was willing to lay down His life for us.  The question to ask is do you see God the Father as one who was willing to rescue you through the death of His Son and give you eternal life that you can live with Him forever.  This eternal life happens from the first moment we believe until He calls us home one day.

Jesus was so compassionate toward human suffering and grief that He was moved to act and relieve and restore.  Do we see God compassion toward our suffering that He will run to our rescue to restore us?

Sing, heavens; and be joyful, earth; and break forth into singing, mountains: for Yahweh has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted. Is 49:13

Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness. He will not always accuse; neither will he stay angry forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor repaid us for our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his loving kindness toward those who fear him.....
Like a father has compassion on his children, so Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him.
For he knows how we are made. He remembers that we are dust.....
But Yahweh's loving kindness is from everlasting to everlasting with those who fear him, his righteousness to children's children;  Ps 103: 8-11,13,17

Do you see God as an angry God, or one who is willing to forgive all wrongs perpetrated against Him and others?  Some of the most touching times were when Jesus forgave the sins of the "worst sinners" according to the religious groups.  One was when Mary (sister of Lazarus) came and anointed Jesus feet with tears and perfume whilst He was at the house of a religious leader who was indignant at the sinner's display of worship.  She was touched by mercy and forgiveness, yet the religious leader was not changed at all.  There is no one beyond the mercy and forgiveness found in the cross at Calvary, if we really repent on the level of our hearts, and receive this wonderful Grace paid for by Jesus.

Let's look at Jesus for a right perspective of the Father and sincerely ask Him to reveal the correct image of His beauty, majesty and glory.  We will never be able to pass up the fact that God is good, for no evil exists in Him, only goodness, light and love

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