2006-07-11 - In His Image

Part 2

We are made in God's image but later reading in Genesis teaches us that the mirror of God that we once were shattered. The image was scarred and distorted by sin. Though less than perfect we still bear his resemblance

1 Corinthians 11:7 - For a man. is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

This verse is part of a larger passage dealing with covering up with veils but for now do not look at what it says about coverings but look at what it says about us - men and women. A man is the image of God and the Glory of God. A woman is the glory of man. Despite the decay and decadence, there is still something resembling God within us.

Men are also said to be God's glory. The Greek word here is doxa, which also means fame, reputation, appearance, or opinion. Men are God's reputation as well as his image. Therefore, men in particular must be careful of the image they put forth. We, men as husbands and fathers, are the image of God that our children and wives will love and respect or hate and fear. How they see us as husbands is how the image of Jesus as the bridegroom of the church will appear to them. What they see in us as fathers is the image that will come to their minds each time we pray "Our Father who art in heaven". Will they know God as an abusive old man waiting to beat them over the littlest of things or will they know a God who gives his all for the littlest of things that matter to his children? Will they know a Jesus that loves them only in good times then leaves when things get tough or will they think of a husband who will never break his vow to the one he loves?

Women are the glory - the reputation - of the men. How women treat their husbands will shape how their Christian children will mature and treat the bridegroom - Jesus. If you help your husband and praise him then you set an example of how God is to be treated. But, if you talk bad about him to your "girl friends" or threaten to leave him when things aren't perfect, guess what kind of Christian your children will learn to be?

Men and women you are the image your children will become in all realms. Statistics show repeatedly how children in abusive homes grow up to become adults in abusive relationships. The emotional and physical realities are hard to argue. However, the images they take in as children also shape their spiritual realities as they grow.

One day we will be the perfect bride of the perfect groom and see our perfect father face to face but until then we must make the image of him as clear as possible.

2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

IHFHBOH
Adam

acdum@hotmail.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org

All scripture references from KJV unless otherwise noted