We are not empty cups needing to be filled by God as is commonly said. In fact, this understanding of imago Dei is even radically different from many Christian teachings about why we exist. This understanding of our created purpose (and subsequently one source of our joy) is radically different from the world’s understanding of being true to oneself, or simply reflecting one’s sin nature to the world. By relational, we mean that churches, families, and Christian communities must continually ask whether they are good reflections of God to one another and the world. By personal, we mean that we as individual worshipers must continually ask whether we are good reflections of our God. All persons are God’s image in a basic sense, but Christians image him more than non-Christians and mature Christians do so even more (3).įurthermore, image is both personal and relational. Therefore, we are not to reflect sinful Adam, the culture, or even ourselves to the world. To image God is to “mirror” his invisible attributes to the world, somewhat like Moses, who radiated the glory of God after being in God’s presence. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 says it this way, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Nonetheless, to image the real Trinitarian God of the Bible is to make him visible to the world as the Holy Spirit reflects the character of God off the children of God as their witness to the world. Therefore, we want to be clear that we are not endorsing idolatry. Admittedly, the Bible renounces idolatry emphatically, repeatedly, and forcefully. The word image is often translated “idol.” An idol is something that makes the invisible God visible. Furthermore, the Bible repeats this truth after sin enters the world, which means that even though sin has stained and marred us, we remain God’s image bearers (2). 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.The Bible is clear that men and women, unlike the rest of creation, are made in the image of God (1). 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 11 And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! 12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant-not of the letter but of the Spirit for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 4 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Bible Gateway 2 Corinthians 3 :: NIV 2 Corinthians 3 1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody.
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