We are "Made in the image of God." This is what Genesis tells us. When I make something in my image it looks like me. When God makes something in His image it is about the qualities and attributes of Himself. God is love, God is compassionate, God is faithful, God is truth, and God is light. As humans we have the same characteristics as God and because we are made in His image, we should reflect those characteristics to others. In Isaiah 43: 7, God says:
"Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”
Created For His Glory
We were created for His glory. When we glorify God, we highly exalt and honor Him. One way we glorify Him is by our holy conduct. We show the world the characteristics of our Maker and Savior. All things exist to glorify God. Even "The heavens declare the glory of God."(Psalm 19:1)
Reflect Your Creator
Imagine a world where everyone in it reflected the image of their Maker. Imagine a world where when I looked at another human being it would be with the love and compassion of God. Imagine being faithful to others as Jesus is faithful to us. Imagine being truthful with others as God is truthful with us. Now imagine a world where all of us did that. In Matthew 5:16, Jesus tells us our light needs to shine before men. It shines for two reasons. So that the world can see our good works and so our Father is glorified.
Sadly, everyone in the world does not reflect the character of God. Sadly, everyone does not glorify Him, because sin has entered the world. God has free will and part of our image of Him is our own free will. We are free to glorify Him and we are free to deny Him.
The New Man
Jesus offers us salvation, redemption from sin, so that as it says in Ephesians 4:24 we can put on the "new man". This new man was created in holiness and righteousness. We are restored through Christ's sacrifice to "the new man created according to God", in what? In righteousness and holiness! We become a true image bearer. We become a renewed person.
In Philippians 2:9-11, we are told that God has exalted Jesus and every knee will bow and tongue confess that He is Lord. Every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord for the same reason that all of creation will, for "the glory of God".
We Are God's Witnesses
In Isaiah 43:10 God says,
“You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He."
Witnesses tell the truth. Witnesses have relevant information. Witnesses speak what they know and tell others so that others can know a fact. As Christians we are witnesses to God's glory, His mercy, His faithfulness, and His truth. This is what we were made for; to show others God's glory and God's characteristics.
In Isaiah 43:21, God continues and says that He has formed a people for Himself so they can declare His praise. Isaiah was prophesying to the people of Israel in Isaiah 43, but these words still apply to His people today. He has formed us for Himself and because of this we will declare His praises.
We Are Adopted To Praise Him
In Ephesians 1:4-6, Paul tells us we are the adopted sons and daughters of Christ before the foundation of the world. For this reason, for the praise and glory of His grace, because Jesus has made us acceptable. Before the world was even made, His grace was praised and glorified. Restoration of us to Him, and all of creation, is the fulfillment of God's promise.
I want to echo today the prayer found in Hebrews 13: 20-21,
"Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."
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