The Gospel’s Call to Restore Our Reflection of God
One of the most beautiful and profound themes woven throughout Scripture is the idea that humanity was created in the image of God. From the very beginning, God’s intention for us was clear—we were meant to reflect His nature, His character, and His glory to the world. However, as we all know too well, something went terribly wrong. The mirror that was meant to shine forth the goodness of God became shattered by sin, leaving behind only a distorted and fractured reflection. But the good news of the gospel is that God, through Jesus Christ, is restoring us to our original purpose: to once again bear His image in fullness and truth.
The First and Last Adam
In 1 Corinthians 15:45–49, the Apostle Paul draws a contrast between two pivotal figures in human history: Adam and Jesus Christ. He writes:
“Thus it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being’; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.” (1 Corinthians 15:45–49, ESV)
Paul is pointing us to a fundamental truth: all of humanity has inherited the image of Adam—the man of dust, the fallen image bearer. Yet, in Christ, we are given the opportunity to bear a new image, that of the man of heaven.
Created to Reflect God’s Image
This concept finds its foundation in the very first chapter of the Bible. In Genesis 1:26, we read:
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’” (Genesis 1:26, ESV)
From the beginning, God’s design for humanity was that we would be like mirrors, reflecting His goodness, His wisdom, and His love. We were created to steward the earth and to rule with righteousness, displaying God’s character in every aspect of our lives. However, sin corrupted this purpose. As John Calvin famously put it, humanity became like a broken mirror—still reflecting God’s image in some ways, but marred, cracked, and unclear.
A Distorted Reflection
The effects of the Fall were catastrophic. Instead of being image-bearers of God, humanity began to resemble something else entirely. Jesus himself confronted this reality when He spoke to the Pharisees, the religious leaders of His day. In John 8:44, He made a sobering statement:
“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires.” (John 8:44, ESV)
These men, who were meant to be teachers of God's law, who were supposed to reflect His holiness and justice, had instead become representatives of the enemy. They were no longer reflecting the image of their Creator but rather the distortion brought about by sin.
Yet, the gospel tells us that God did not leave us in this broken state. He had a plan to restore His image within us, and that plan was fully realized in Jesus Christ.
Restoring the Image Through Christ
Paul tells us that the work of salvation is not just about avoiding hell or securing a place in heaven—it is about transformation. It is about being remade into the image of Christ, the perfect reflection of the Father. Jesus himself said:
“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9, ESV)
Jesus came to show us what it truly means to be human. He was the perfect Image Bearer, the one who reflected God in everything He said and did. He healed the sick, welcomed the outcasts, forgave sinners, and spoke truth to those in power. His life was the embodiment of divine love. And now, through His death and resurrection, He invites us to follow Him, to be remade in His image.
How Do We Bear the Image of Christ?
If we are called to reflect God’s image, how do we do that in practical terms? How do we take on the image of the man of heaven rather than remaining in the image of the man of dust? The answer lies in the power of the Holy Spirit and in following the example of Christ.
1. Living by the Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the one who works within us, shaping us to be more like Christ. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:18:
“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 3:18, ESV)
This transformation is not something we achieve on our own. It is God’s work in us. Our role is to yield to the Spirit, allowing Him to guide our thoughts, words, and actions.
2. Following Christ’s Example
Jesus demonstrated what it means to bear the image of God. If we want to reflect Him, we must look at how He lived:
He loved the unlovable – He embraced those whom society rejected, showing them the mercy and grace of God.
He touched the untouchable – He healed lepers, restored the broken, and showed that no one was beyond God’s reach.
He raised the humble and humbled the proud – He lifted up the weak while calling out the arrogance of the self-righteous.
He gave His life for others – The ultimate reflection of God’s love was His sacrificial death on the cross.
To bear the image of God is to bear the image of love.
What Would Happen If We Truly Reflected Christ?
Imagine a world where believers fully embraced their calling as image-bearers of God. Imagine if we truly loved our neighbors—not just in words, but in action. What if we showed compassion to the struggling, mercy to the broken, and kindness to those the world has cast aside? What if our lives became living testimonies of God’s grace?
This is what it means to be a follower of Christ. This is what it means to bear the image of the man of heaven.
So, as you go about your day, ask yourself: Whose image am I reflecting? Am I still bearing the image of the man of dust, or am I allowing Christ to reshape me into His likeness? The world is watching. Let them see the image of God in you.
Reflection Questions:
In what areas of your life do you struggle to reflect the image of Christ?
How can you actively yield to the Holy Spirit's transforming work?
What is one way you can show God's love to someone this week?
