MADE IN THE 'IMAGE OF GOD'

The flesh is with us always and unless conquered on a daily basis, it will bring nothing but trouble – A.W. Tozer

Today, we are going to look at the term ‘imago Dei’, which means that in all of God’s creation, humans alone have a soul. We are made in the ‘imago Dei’ (Latin for “image of God”). ‘imago Dei’ is not something we do; it is something we are. It is our essence. 5 aspects of biblical revelation ground this perspective in our lives.

1) The Bible repeatedly affirms that humans, in contrast to all animals have an eternal soul (Matt 22:37; 1 Thess. 5:23) Whereas the life of all animals end with death, humans live on (Matt. 25:46; Rev. 6:9-11) Like God, we will never cease to exist spiritually.
2) Because we have a soul, we have the capicity to reason. We have the unique ability as well as the innate need to pursue and discover truth. God invites us to reason with him (Isa. 1:18). Like God, but unlike animals, humans have the capicity to think rationally.
3) Because we have a soul, we have the capicity for moral goodness. Whereas animals operate by instinct alone, humans can choose go do good. We can either obey or disobey God. Throughout the Bible, God who is good by nature, calls on us to pursue holiness and to shun evil (2 Chron. 7:14; 2 Tim. 2:19-22) Like God, but unlike animals, we possess a capicity for moral goodness.
4) Because we have a soul, we possess a sense of the divine (sensus divinitatus). Unlike animals, humans can and should sense the glory of God in all creation (Ps. 19:1-4; Rom. 1:19-20). Humans can and should sense God’s Spirit calling them into relationship with Him (John 16:7-8)
5) Because we have a soul, we possess the capicity to love. Whereas animals are driven by instinct, we possess the ability and therefore the responsibility to enter into self-sacrificial, loving relationships with God and other humans. Throughout the Bible, God calls people to enter into a loving, convenntal relationship with Him and to love others as they love themselves (Lev. 19:18; Deut. 6:5; Matt. 22:36-40). Like God, we possess the capicity to love.
In conclusion, the imago Dei is the soul of a person. Because of the fall of man in the garden, the capacity of our soul to reason, aspire to moral goodness, sense God, and enter into loving relationships is diminished. But as long as the soul is present, the imago Dei is present. You have a soul that is infused with the attributes of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. You still have to make the decision personally, to choose to do good. You can either obey or disobey God. You can pursue Holiness in your life or you can follow your inherited nature to do evil. It’s your choice. You are made in the image of God ‘imago Dei’ but you also have inherited to ability to be bad. Will you conquer the flesh or give into it? Your thought for today.