When something is perfect, a pattern or model is made of it. This helps preserve its perfection and reproduce its superior beauty or usefulness. Since God is absolutely perfect, there is no possible improvement to him. When God created man he said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule….” (Gen 1:26). So, there are ways in which we are like God. “With our tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness” (James 3:9). The reason humans are cursed is that the image of God in us has been largely lost due to our sin. This loss of perfection has led to the loss of heaven. Can the image be renewed? Can we be saved?

Yes, through Jesus.“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (Heb 1:3a). “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (Col 1:15). “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known” (John 1:18). Faith in Christ gives us life and restores the image! But only gradually - “For God…made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Cor 4:6- 7). “…You have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (Col 3:9b-10). This is the great work of the Spirit within us. “And we…are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:18).

The goal of Christian life and ministry is to follow Christ. To be like Christ. To lead others to Christ, the perfect Image. “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). “You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering…and so you became a model to all the believers….” (1 Thes 1:6-7).

Since Jesus is the perfection of God in human nature, follow him. Refuse all counterfeits, however many may follow them. “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who…does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example” (2 Thes 3:6-7a). Realize that your happiness and satisfaction in this world depend on the degree that you bear his image. What you and others need NOW is what you will experience in heaven - “And I, in righteousness will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Ps 17:15). So, ask the Spirit to remove whatever is unlike Christ in you and to make you an encouragement and example to others, by his grace. This is what God has planned for you. “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Rom 8:29). Truly, what the world needs is Jesus to be seen in and through you today.