HOW ARE "YOU" MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD?

THE GOD IMAGE: 

“….let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).  “…..God created man in his own image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “….God formed man of the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (HIS Spirit or His IMAGE); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

“….let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).

“…God is not human (he is not a body, he is not a self, or the flesh, or a soul)…” (Numbers 23:19 NIV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell in you (and dwelt in Adam and Eve)…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).

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         Remember an image is a mental or visual representation, you have, of yourself or someone else.

A representation or representative of that image is something that or someone who reveals or demonstrates what that “image” is like.

A representation or representative also reveals or demonstrates the likeness of a particular image such as a picture, sculpture, painting, drawing, or carbon copy.

Thus, a likeness of an image, is NOT “the” image, but it will resemble that image, in some way. The resemblance of an image provides a, visual or mental depiction, or idea, or description of what that image is like.

The God Image is not a mental or visual representation of God as we understand it, but it would be a spiritual representation or representative of God. A spiritual representation or representative of God would provide an understanding of his LIKENESS. For instance, it is by faith that God’s people understand, that the whole world was created by God. “… BY FAITH (trusting in and depending upon God) ...[they]... understand that THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE WAS FORMED at God’s command...” (Hebrews 11 NLT).

It is also by faith, they understand, what God is LIKE. “… BY FAITH (by trusting in and depending upon God) ...[they]... understand ....that what ...[they]... now see did not come from anything that can be seen...” (Hebrews 11 NLT).

The first man, Adam (Eve), was created “in” HIS IMAGE “after” his LIKENESS! “….LET US MAKE man … after our likeness (to resemble or represent us) …” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). “…in his OWN image (resemblance or representation) ...male and female created he them …” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “…And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).

In order to understand what that likeness IS; you must first understand what GOD’S IMAGE “IS”. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).

God’s image was breathed into Adam, which made Adam a representative of his image. “…And the LORD God ...breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (His Spirit or image)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).

“….let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). “…God is not human (he is not a body, he is not a self, or the flesh, or a soul)…” (Numbers 23:19 NIV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).

“…the Spirit of God dwell in you (and dwelt in the first male and female)…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). Thus, Adam and Eve were originally, created to resemble or be representatives of HIS IMAGE (which is SPIRIT). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). 

Since God is Spirit. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” so is HIS IMAGE (John 4:24 KJV). Again, God’s IMAGE is SPIRIT. “…God is not human …” (Numbers 23:19 NIV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).

"… that which is born (starts to exist) of the Spirit is spirit…” (John 3:6 KJV). “…And the LORD God ...breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (His Spirit or image)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). When Adam and Eve was born or came into existence, they came with HIS IMAGE, which is SPIRIT.

“… BY FAITH we understand that ...[Adam and Eve]... WAS FORMED at God’s command...” (Hebrews 11 NLT).

They resembled God, the Holy Spirit, because they were able, through his “breath of life” or indwelling Holy Spirit to represent HIS IMAGE. “…And ...man became a living soul (a soul with the God IMAGE)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).

The bible says God’s likeness is clearly WITNESSED by the things HE creates. “… since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made… (he MADE mankind “IN” his IMAGE)...” (Romans 1:20 NASB).

Adam and Eve were MADE by God and initially resembled HIS IMAGE (which is SPIRIT). HIS IMAGE, however, was not and could not be a BODY IMAGE or a self-IMAGE, because God is SPIRIT. “…God is not human (not body; not self) …” (Numbers 23:19 NIV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).

"… that which is born (is created) of the Spirit is spirit…” (John 3:6 KJV). “…And the LORD God ...breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (His Spirit or image)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).

“… since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made…” (Romans 1:20 NASB).

“… since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made (through the “making” or creating of adam and eve)…” (Romans 1:20 NASB).

“… BY FAITH we understand that ...[Adam and Eve]... WAS FORMED at God’s command...” (Hebrews 11 NLT). His command was: “….LET US MAKE man … after our likeness …” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).

“…in his OWN image (Spirit IMAGE)…..male and female created he them …” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “…And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (His Spirit or IMAGE); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).

A “living” soul was a soul MADE in HIS IMAGE and LIKENESS through his breathe of life or Spirit.

The God IMAGE is the SPIRITUAL likeness someone HAS (such as his INDWELLING Holy Spirit) that makes them RESEMBLE, REVEAL, or DEMONSTRATE what God is LIKE. “…And the LORD God ...breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (His Spirit or image)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).

“….LET US MAKE man (woman) … after our likeness (to resemble God, to demonstrate God, to reveal God, to represent what God is like, etc.) …” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).

The bible clearly informs us that when God, originally, made mankind, he made with a body, the breathe of life (his IMAGE), and a soul.

Because they were “living” souls, with the “breathe of life” they “resembled” HIS IMAGE. “...LET US MAKE man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).  “…And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Holy Spirit); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).

“… HE Himself GIVES to all people LIFE and BREATH and all things…” (Acts 17:25 NASB).  However, “…the body without (apart from) the spirit is dead…” (James 2:26 KJV). “…It is the SPIRIT who gives “LIFE”; the flesh profits nothing…” (John 6:63 NASB).

People who are physically alive have breathe and exist, but they are not spiritually alive without God’s indwelling Holy SPIRIT.   

What happened to God’s original creation of mankind? According to the bible, God said to Adam and Eve: “…of every tree of the garden THOU MAYEST FREELY EAT: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou  SHALT NOT EAT of it; for in THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).

They were in a covenant relationship with God and all they needed to do was willfully “choose” to  “keep his commandment.”

Instead, they willfully choose to eat the fruit. They died spiritually, immediately, just as God’s word said they would. “….So she took some of the fruit and ATE IT. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and HE ATE IT, too …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT). “…THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST thereof “THOU SHALT SURELY DIE”…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).

“.... At that moment their eyes were opened…” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).  At that moment, “…[their] ...INIQUITIES … separated … [them from] ... God (who is SPIRIT)…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…It’s YOUR SINS that … [will] ...cut you off from God…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT).

A willful, voluntarily, and FREE human decision to NOT keep his commandment cut them OFF or SEPARATED them from God, the Holy Spirit. “…It’s YOUR SINS that … [will] ...cut you off from God…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT).

Adam and Eve, who were FREE from sin, at the time, and FREE to CHOOSE, decided, on their OWN volition, to NOT keep his commandment. “… [YOU CHOOSE]... this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).

They freely CHOSE to do the opposite of what God’s Word instructed them to do. Choices have consequences and God fully disclosed to them what those consequences will be if they CHOSE “NOT” to listen to his Word. “... THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).

SIN, the rejecting of God’s HOLY instructions, separated them from God, the Holy Spirit. “…[Their] ...INIQUITIES … separated … [them from] ... God(Spirit)…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).

From that time, until NOW, everyone, born into the world, is born without the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23). “….I was born a sinner (I was born without the indwelling holy spirit)….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT).

Everyone is born with ONLY a sin nature (a body without the SPIRIT). Everyone will eventually become a SLAVE to sin, and they cannot, on their own, be restored to WHOLENESS or REUNITE with God, the Holy Spirit, without an act of God’s GRACE.

The sinful nature ONLY knows how to SIN (guaranteed). Sinful behaviors are the symptoms of the terminal condition of “that” nature. “….I was born a sinner ….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT).  “...I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin (the symptoms of the terminal condition of the sin nature) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…the wages of sin (the symptoms of the terminal condition) is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…For all have sinned (all have this terminal condition)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV). “…all have ... come short of the glory of God (all are born WITHOUT the indwelling Holy Spirit)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV).

Unfortunately, the soul and SPIRIT are cut ASUNDER by SIN. NOT keeping God’s commandment was the catalyst that bought SIN into the world which resulted in spiritually death. “...sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death passed to all men, for that all sinned—“(Romans 5:12 KJV).  “… SIN, when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH (spiritual) DEATH…” (James 1:13-15 NLT). 

SIN is the violation of God’s Holy standards (commandments) (big or small). “…Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the [HOLY] …law (commandments): for sin is the transgression of the [HOLY] …law(commandments)….” (1 John 3:4 KJV). “…Everyone who sins is breaking God’s [HOLY] …law(commandments), for all sin is contrary to the...[HOLY] ...  law (commandments) of God….” (1 John 3:4 NLT).

When the bible says mankind is born a sinner, it is not because of anything they did or didn’t do, but it’s because of their NATURE, which is now a SINFUL nature, without God’s SPIRIT.  “…ALL HAVE SINNED and fallen short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23).

The soul has NO power over the sinful nature without God’s SPIRIT and thus becomes a prisoner of the sinful nature and inadvertantly a slave to SIN.

The ONLY prognosis is eternal death or damnation. “…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).

What CAN free the SOUL?  “…Who will free me (my SOUL) from this life that is dominated by SIN? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

The HOLY SPIRIT separates from SIN and SINNERS. “…It’s YOUR SINS that have cut you off  from God (who is SPIRIT and HOLY) …” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT). How can God help?

“…He loved us and sent his Son …” (1 John 4:10 NIV).  “… [He sent the] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).

Adam and Eve was originally CREATED WHOLE (body, soul, and Spirit (the breathe of life)). “…And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Holy Spirit); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). “….God saw every thing he had made……and, [said] … it was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).

But SIN separated them from God (SPIRIT). “...Wherefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and (spiritual) death through sin, and so (spiritual) death passed to all men, for that all sinned (all are born without SPIRIT)—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 KJV). But God had a PLAN.

“…The plans [God has]…for you…. [are]…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).

“…Since it is through God’s kindness …[and] not by [your] good works. For in that case, God’s GRACE (unmerited favor) would not be what it really is—free and undeserved…” (Romans 11:5 NLT).  “…He did this, not because we DESERVED it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time…” (2 Timothy 1:9 NLT).

JESUS CHRIST was part of God’s PLAN of salvation for humanity. “… [Thus, HE sent the ] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT). “…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole (SAVES, RESTORES , AND MAKES YOU WHOLE YOU AGAIN)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV).

JESUS became and “IS” the WAY to be RESTORED to the IMAGE OF GOD, his SPIRIT. “...For Christ also died for sins ONCE for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us...[BACK]... to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB).

 “… [YOUR] … iniquities (sin) …separated [YOU]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). Now, if you “…confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and … BELIEVE IN THINE HEART that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be SAVED…” (ROMANS 10:9 KJV). “…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole (RESTORES YOU AGAIN to God’s spirit)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). NLT). “…The GIFT of God is eternal life (SPIRIT) through Jesus Christ ….” (Romans 6:23 KJV).

“…God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). “... Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “…Christ (the HEALING solution or CURE) also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us [back] to God …” (1 Peter 3:18 KJV).

That he might bring us back into UNITY and WHOLENESS with God, the Holy Spirit.

 “... When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought [spiritual] ... death, so [spiritual] ... death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned (is born without the indwelling Holy Spirit) ... But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought [spiritual] death to many. But EVEN GREATER is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God (being restored, reunited with the Holy Spirit again), even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused ... [SPIRITUAL] ... death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ...” (Romans 5:10-16 NLT).

“… my righteous servant (Jesus) ... [made]... it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins…” (Isaiah 53:11 NLT).  

ALL THE SOULS THAT ACCEPT, JESUS, THE SACRIFICE, Will BE RESTORED AND REUNITED WITH THE SPIRIT. “… [He sent the ] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT). “…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole (SAVES, RESTORES , AND MAKES YOU WHOLE YOU AGAIN through God’s HOLY SPIRIT)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “…Confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and … BELIEVE IN THINE HEART that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be SAVED (restored, reunited, whole again, etc)…” (ROMANS 10:9 KJV).

By the POWER of the Word of GOD, The SPIRIT AND the soul CAN REUNITE. “… [The] Good News about Christ (GOD, the WORD)… It is the power of God at work, saving  everyone who believes (WHO DEPENDS UPON HIS WORD)…” (Romans 1:16 NLT). “… [JESUS, THE WORD,  IS THE] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).“…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole (AGAIN)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV).

WHEN the SPIRIT is reunited, by the POWERFUL WORD OF GOD, with the SOUL again it is MADE WHOLE.“…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole (AGAIN)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV).

The soul is made WHOLE when it reunites with God, the Holy SPIRIT through Jesus Christ.  “…He [or she]… that is joined unto the Lord is ONE SPIRIT….” (1 Corinthians 6:17).

THE SOUL and BODY, without the SPIRIT is dead. A physically alive person can only experience natural life, but not spiritual life. Only the Holy SPIRIT can restore spiritual life to a person. “…the Holy Spirit gives birth to (or restores) SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT).  God is a “…restorer of thy life…” (Ruth 4:15 KJV). “…He restoreth my SOUL…” (Psalm 23 KJV). “…The law of the LORD (the WORD of God) is perfect (mature, fully capable, etc. of), restoring the SOUL…” (Psalm 19 NASB). “….He (the WORD OF GOD) restoreth my soul….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT). “…I (God, the holy spirit) will restore…” (Jeremiah 30:17 KJV).  “….Jesus Christ (the WORD of GOD) maketh thee WHOLE (AGAIN)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “... and man became a living soul …” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

THIS REUNION WITH THE SPIRIT IS A BLESSING FOR THE SOUL AND GIVES “THAT” SOUL A RENEWED UNITY, CONNECTION, KINSHIP, INTIMACY, ATTRACTION, OR AFFINITY TOWARD THE LIVING GOD. “... You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You...” (Psalms 63:1 NLT).

WHEN THE SOUL IS REUNITED WITH THE SPIRIT, IT IS NO LONGER LEFT TO ITSELF, BUT BECOMES ENLIGHTENED, NOURISHED BY THE WORD, EXPERIENCES THE UNION AND INTIMACY WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT again, RECEIVES MULTIPLY GIFTS FROM HEAVEN, AND EXPERIENCES THE POWER OF GOD THROUGH SIGNS, WONDERS, AND MIRACLES. “…  those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit,  who have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the power of the age to come …” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT).

ALL IS WELL WITH THE SOUL WHEN IT IS REUNITED WITH THE SPIRIT AGAIN. “….Jesus Christ (the WORD of GOD) maketh thee WHOLE (AGAIN)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “... and man became a living soul …” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).