In His Image

   “Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, after our likeness.’” (Gen 1: 26)

   We were made in His image, perfect in all respects.  There was no sin, no pain, no suffering or death.  Only the love and friendship of our Lord.  Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden in ease and peace.  Through their prideful sin paradise was lost and they were expelled from the Garden of Eden.

   Still we were created in God’s image.  If we are to recover a right relationship with God we must seek to restore His image within us.  Because of sin we are not capable of restoring the perfection in which we were created, but God can.  If we seek Him in humility and repentance He will bring us to our original perfection upon death to this world and rebirth in the next.  We will again walk with Him, knowing His perfect love.

   Until then, we must struggle.  We must reject Satan and his temptations.  On the cross, Christ won the war, but there are still battles to fight and crosses we must bear.

   If we are to regain His image within us we must “see with the eyes of love, feel with the heart of mercy, and think with the mind of compassion.” (Carl McColeman, “Befriending Silence”).  Pray that our Lord will make us Holy and restore His image within us.

Father we were made in Your image.

We have destroyed that image within us.

Our greatest desire is to restore it.

Give us Your love, mercy and compassion.

Amen