We have discussed being imagers for the last two weeks as we dig into our Kingdom Revealed series of Genesis Chapters 1 and 2. From time to time, we will move a little forward in the bigger story to make some connections, and we will do that now as we finish the circle of being an imager.
Genesis 1:27-28
27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
As we have looked at being created in His image, we talked about being an imager. Another way to say it is that we are a royal priesthood. This is what the Apostle Peter was saying in 1 Peter Chapter 2:
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
The royal part is our vocation. God wants us to partner with Him to steward the creation, to make the planet like Eden.
The priesthood part is us reflecting the image of God to one another and the world. Here is the same concept in the Old Testament:
Exodus 19:5-6a (NIV)
5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’
Unfortunately, at the fall, we stopped being the imagers we were called and created to be.
Romans 1:20-23 (NIV)
20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
Since the fall, the problem is that instead of worshipping and imaging God, we have worshipped and imaged or reflected bits and pieces of the creation, which is idolatry. And when we worship something other than God, something happens to your image bearingness, your humanness. You start becoming less than the human you were created to be and live in a subhuman way. And the way that you realize this is that you do things that are less than fully human. That’s how sin happens. It is not just keeping or breaking specific rules. It’s worshipping one or more of these forces, and it keeps us from being fully human. Idolatry and sin go together. We swap the glory of God for something far less.
Fortunately for us, Jesus has come, and in Him, we are renewed imagers—more on this and a fantastic poem from the Apostle Paul this weekend at Keys Vineyard Church. We hope to have you with us in person or online.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
