Daily Devotions
Genesis
"Then God saw everything that He had made… it was very good."
Text: Genesis 1 : 26 - 31
IN THE IMAGE OF GOD
What does it really mean to be made in the image of God? Certainly, it cannot be a reference to the physical and external aspects of man! Two texts from Paul’s epistles to the Ephesian and Colossian Churches provide helpful insights.
“And that you put on the new man which was created
according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”EPHESIANS 4:24
“And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge
according to the image of Him who created Him.”COLOSSIANS 3:10
While these two texts may not cover every aspect of the concept of being made in the image of God, nevertheless three great truths emerge:-
1. Potential of being Righteous
Man is distinguished from animals in many ways. He has the potential to be “righteous”. Given careful instruction, man can reflect the righteousness of God. Personal righteousness is expressed in integrity in life with a well-balanced understanding of justice.
2. Potential of being Holy
Man has the potential of possessing holiness. The word “holiness” has the essential idea of one who is dedicated or consecrated to God. Man was made with the capacity to be truly devoted to God in worship and service!
3. Potential of being Spiritually Knowledgeable
Man was made with the capacity to obtain and process knowledge! Man’s advances in technology, medicine, education etc, prove that he is capable of possessing vast amounts of knowledge. Man was also made capable of possessing great spiritual knowledge! While other creatures may know God intuitively, man is capable of knowing God cognitively!
OVERALL REVIEW
At the end of all the creative processes, God reviewed all that He had done.
“Then God saw everything that He had made,
and indeed it was very good.”GENESIS 1:31a
God had every right and every reason to enjoy what He had made. Just as we enjoy seeing mountains, the oceans, the landscape of the earth etc, so does God find joy in His creation! Above all, He had now created man who was capable of having a relationship with Him through his cognitive ability. He had designed him to be upright or righteous. Man was made with the capacity to be devoted to Him in love and in service! Understandably God was pleased with all that had transpired in the Creation week!