Made in God’s Image
Reflect God’s Image
We are made in God’s image and as Christians, children of light, we are expected to reflect that image to the world around us. Jesus reflected the Father and we should reflect Jesus.
Paul told his listeners to imitate him because he imitates Christ. That is a bold statement that many today would think you arrogant if you told someone that. But, we should be able to make this statement in all honesty, not in arrogance.
In 1 Corinthians 4:15-16 Paul says that in Christ he became their father in the faith through the Gospel (of the Kingdom), therefore they should imitate him.
Christians must step up their game. Too many are blending in with the world or passively sitting on the sideline. Followers of Christ must stand out from the world and be discipling others. Can you say to others, “Follow me as I follow Christ?”
Die to Self
Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him to come and die.” Too often people think that “coming to Christ” is just a one-time decision that requires no further thought. Many unwittingly make an emotional decision without even knowing who the Christ is or what he taught and what he expects from those who follow him.
The decision we need to make is not only something we decide in our mind, but it is a heart issue as well. The deeper aspect to truly following the Christ and reflecting God’s image, is that we must be willing to put our own desires on the altar. We must release our grasp on our very lives in their entirety. We must count the cost of being his disciple and we must be willing to leave everything for his sake.
God’s Image is Pure Holiness and the Saints Should Reflect God
In Ephesians 5:3 it tells us that sin should not even be named among the saints, meaning there should not be sin among Christians. It is a very high standard and 1 Timothy 4:7 says that we should have nothing to do with worldly fables, and on the other hand, it is essential to discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 reminds us to examine everything carefully and it exhorts us to avoid even the appearance of evil. So, if something even looks like it could be evil, or if it resembles evil, we have nothing to do with it. We shouldn’t watch it, listen to it or play it.
Deuteronomy 8:9-14 instructs God’s people to not imitate the world’s detestable practices. Likewise, in the New Testament Christians are told they must be in the world, but they should not be of it. In other words, we live in this world, but we should not imitate those in the world and what they practice.
God demands obedience and He has set a very high standard! Christians cannot mix with the world. It is as simple as that.
Obedience Leads to Life
Ezekiel 11:18-21 orders God’s people to remove any detestable things that are among them. He then promises to replace their hearts of stone with a heart of flesh. He says that he will do this so that they can obey and follow His ways. If people will obey, then they can be God’s people. Only through obedience can we be God’s people.
God gave people free will. They can choose to obey or disobey. But, there are consequences if they make the wrong choice. As God told the Israelites, He is still telling us today, chose obedience and life rather than disobedience and destruction.
Pursue Holiness and Righteousness
Ephesians 5:15-16 urges believers to be careful how they live. Christians must be wise, not unwise, and they ought to make the most of their opportunities.
2 Peter 1:3 informs us that the Father’s power has given us the ability to keep our lives pure and be holy because He is holy. We have no excuse.
2 Timothy 2:22 encourages its reader to pursue holiness. That means to run after and chase down righteousness. It is very active and not passive!
Training in Righteousness
Through obedience we are preparing to be kingdom citizens. If we do not desire to practice holiness today, or train in righteousness, then why should we expect that anything would be different in the kingdom.
Ephesian 5:11-12 explicitly says not to participate in deeds of darkness and that those things are disgraceful to even mention, let alone talk about or promote. We are told not just to stay away from those things, but to even expose evil.
2 Tim 4:2-5 says that Christians should be trained in righteousness because people will be drawn away from truth and turn aside to myths. We must be training others so they in turn can train others.
In Matthew 28:20 Jesus said to teach people to observe all that he commanded us. He didn’t say pick three of ten or choose what suits your desires or lifestyle. He said to obey all that he commanded.
Made in God’s Image to Receive a Crown of Righteousness
Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 that he fought a good fight and he finished the course. I hope that is something we can say as well. We know for certain that we have a crown of righteousness that we will receive when Jesus returns. That should be enough to stimulate us to press on and strive for holiness today.
Righteousness is not just changing your behavior. True righteousness is changing your heart. What we sacrifice and give up now, can’t even compare to what we will receive in the future. We must internalize this truth and keep it at the forefront of our minds. Like Paul, this hope motivated and strengthened him as he strived to obey and please the Lord he that committed to follow.
Jesus taught about the narrow road and the wide road. We must be diligent and aware as to which road we are traveling on! The righteous walk on the narrow road that leads to life.
