Godliness - Image of God

Godliness is God like character.

26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over [g]all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that [h]moves on the earth.”

When God created trees, He did not say let us create in His image.
When God created sea creatures and birds, He did not say let us create in His image.

When God created animals, cattle, He did not say let us create in His image.

But when it came to mankind, God said let us make man in Our image.

Mankind got the privilege of being in the image of God, that none of the creation has it.

So a dog cannot reflect Gods image.

a cow , a goat, a fish or any other animal cannot reflect Gods image because it was not made in the image of God.

Only mankind can reflect Gods image.

But mankind has fallen to reflect Gods nature, the image of God.

Every human has fallen.

So God has to send His only Son to demonstrate how a man can live as an image of God.

Colossians 1:15

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

So, God is invisible. But Jesus is the image of the invisible God.

So when Lord Jesus lived on earth, mankind has not seen God, God is invisible.

But they had seen Jesus, because He is the image of the invisible God.

When Lord Jesus calms the storm, disciples were greatly afraid and said

Jesus is reflecting the authority in the sense of image of God.

Mark 4:41

41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

John 14:7-9

7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”

8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”

9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

Philip is saying Show us the Father who is invisible.

But Lord Jesus says you have been with me.

The Words  speak to you

and the Works.

Two most important things in a mans life.

is not your degree, not your looks, not what you wear, not your wealth, not your riches, not the car you drive.

Words and Works

The image of God is revealed in these 2 things:

Words and Works.

Jesus never spoke on His own Authority.

Today, are you concerned about all these things that dont reveal the image of God or  are you concerned about revealing the image of God through your Words and Works.

When an person who doesnot know God sees you,that person should see the Father.

I always like the example that Pastor gives of Auto Raja.

auto raja example.

Paul says follow me.

1 Corinthians 11:1

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

Paul says I reveal the image of God, and you follow me, because of the image.

Especially when temptations come, we really dont care about image of God.

Temptation is not because of sin.

Temptation is because of the devil.

Temptation existed even before sin entered the world.

There were 2 gardens where temptation has revealed.

Garden of Eden

The first Adam was tempted but he could not overcome, he could not reflect the image of God in that moment.

Garden of Gethsemane - temptation

Even Lord Jesus faced temptation

Temptation - In times of temptation , revealing the Image of God shows , that will be a great impact on peoples lives.

Now in this fallen world, not everyone can reflect the image of God, but God uses Church to reflect His Image

Ephesians 3:10

10 to the intent that now the [d]manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the [e]principalities and powers in the heavenly places,

Godliness - God like character.

1 Timothy 4:8

 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

if you are a kingdom person, you are eyes are always set on reflecting image of God.

Recently when doing a plank challenge, it was like a training. Slowly builiding up,

20,30,45,1, 1.30,2,2.30,3,3.30,4,4.40, 5

Godliness has 3 attributes

1) Contentment

6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, [d]and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content

2) Power

2 Timothy 3:1-5

But know this, that in the last days [a]perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, [b]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

3) Persecution.

2 Timothy 3:12

12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

As we step into this new year,

Can you make a commitment, saying I will reflect Gods nature, the image of God through  my Words and Works.