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Day 29: Christ renews God's glory (Gen 1:24-31).
Prayer
O Lord you are good and do good. Your mercies toward me have been abundant beyond anything I could hope or even understand. And yet I still fumble along, generally oblivious to your mercies – Lord, please pardon my iniquity. I thank you for this new day, I thank you that I am still with you, and that you hold me by my right hand – in spite of my sin, frailty, and weakness. Please lead and guide me in your counsel, please take me in to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And the earth has nothing that I desire beside you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but you are the strength of my heart and my portion. Please be my portion now as I open up your word. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reading
Gen 1:24-31.
“And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. 25. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 26. 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.” 27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
28. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29. And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. 30. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”
Meditation
If you remember back to when we looked at day one, you’ll remember that what we saw is that God’s purpose for creation is to fill creation with his glory and presence. On day one, when God said “Let there be light”, he wasn’t talking about physical light. The light of the sun, moon, and stars was created on day four. No, when God said: “Let there be light”, he was referring to the light of his own glory. In 1 John 1:5 we read that “God is light”. In 1 Timothy 6 we hear the report that God dwells in light. Many other scriptural references show the way that light is a reference to the glory and presence of God as well. So when God says “let there be light” on day one, what he’s saying is that he intends to fill the creation with his glory and presence. The image of God in man has a very important and key role to play in this divine plan, because man is the glory of God (1 Cor 11:17).
When man is created on day six we get a clearer idea of exactly how God intends to fill the creation with his glory and presence. We find that he intends to fulfill this big-picture plan chiefly by making man in his own image. So also, as mankind multiplies the image of God in creation, his glory thus extends, and blessing fills the earth. Tragically however, as we’ve seen, when man fell into sin, this image was defiled and broken. But that was not to be the end of the story, for even though Adam failed in this calling, there came at last a second Adam who did not fail. In Jesus Christ, the image of God in man was renewed and restored.
And so at this point, from a biblical theological perspective, we draw out an important doctrine: that Christ Jesus the man is the good and unbroken image of the invisible God. We read of this in 2 Corinthians 4:4, so also in Colossians 1:15 which says that he is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation”. The image of God was at last restored in man! But this was not to be a one-off event either, because for all who believe in Christ that broken, shattered image can be likewise renewed and restored. Let me lead us through a series of passages that establish this teaching.
In Romans 8:29 we read: “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Now do you see what that is saying? We already know that Christ is the image of the invisible God, and that – unlike us – he did not defile that image with sin. Now here in Romans 8:29 the Apostle Paul shows us that for those who are saved, we are being conformed into the very same image of his Son! The original image of God was defiled in us, but in Christ we are renewed and remade in the image of God again.
Consider also Ephesians 4:22-24. As Paul addresses the Ephesians, he says that as they learned about and received Christ, they had so learned to “put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and… be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and… put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” In other words our old, fallen nature was corrupted and the original image of God within us was corrupted by our sin. When we came to believe in Christ, however, we learn that we are to put on the new self which is created after the likeness and image of God. In another passage of significance, Colossians 3:10, we read: “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator”. As we come to believe in Christ, the truth is clear: God renews the divine image within us.
Be ye doers of the word…
Since Christ is image of the invisible God, and in Christ we are called and transformed into the same image again, we have the duty, the need, and the privilege of setting Christ before our vision. That is what we must always be in the business of doing – setting Christ before our eyes. In our old self, there is a shattered remnant of God’s likeness. But this likeness has been defaced, corrupted, and deformed, and our only hope for seeing this image restored to us is if we set Christ before our vision always. Are you an unbeliever? Then you are lost in sin, and you must come to Christ – you must set him before your vision always. You must believe because, unless you do, your life will be nothing but a broken mirror with pieces lying on the ground.
But even for those of us who are believers, the principle remains the same. We must set Christ before our vision always. What is it that you are setting before your eyes each week? What is it that has your attention and your heart? Because if it’s anything other than Christ, then our lives will be nothing but broken, shattered mirrors. We will not find God’s image on an endless stream of updates and feeds from our social network of choice. We will not find the image of God by binge watching on our favourite streaming service. We will not find it if we fix our attention on career goals, family life, or our best friend. Our only hope is to fix our eyes constantly on Christ. That is how the image of God will be renewed within us.
In 2 Corinthians 3:18, we find this wonderful picture of how this transformation occurs: “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. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” Do you want to live life as it is supposed to be lived? Do you want to live a life of purpose in Christ? Do you want to be more holy? Do you want to step outside of the stream of filth flowing from a godless culture and be counted in the cause of Christ? Do you want to be able to stand against the attacks of the evil one? Do you want to be cleansed of your inner corruptions? Then look to Christ. Set Christ before your vision always, and in the light of his presence you will find life, and strength, and hope. In Christ, you will renewed according to the image of the invisible God. Brothers and sisters, Let us look to Christ. SDG.
Prayer of Confession & Consecration
Almighty God, I praise you that you did not abandon humanity when we defiled your image within us. In justice, you might have destroyed us, or left us to our own devices – even that would have been far more mercy than we deserved. And yet, in your great compassion not only have you given us grace and mercy, but you have established a plan of salvation that would restore your image in man. O Lord, I thank and praise you for revealing this plan to me through Jesus Christ your Son. I pray, Lord, please hasten that transformation in my life! Help me to set my eyes upon your glory, as revealed in Christ. And by your Spirit’s power, in beholding your glory, may I be constantly restored into your image. Please make the excellencies and beauties of your character to be established and growing in my life. Forgive me for my sins, and come to my aid, I pray. My need is great, and if you do not come my life will fade and waste away. Be merciful to me, O Lord, according to your unfailing love. According to your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity, and cleanse me from all my sins. Create in me a clean heart, O God. And renew an upright spirit within me. So too for your people in my local church, Lord may you so work in them as to gloriously restore your image in their lives. To the glory of your name alone I pray, Amen.
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By Reformed devotions from all of scripture.Prayer
O Lord you are good and do good. Your mercies toward me have been abundant beyond anything I could hope or even understand. And yet I still fumble along, generally oblivious to your mercies – Lord, please pardon my iniquity. I thank you for this new day, I thank you that I am still with you, and that you hold me by my right hand – in spite of my sin, frailty, and weakness. Please lead and guide me in your counsel, please take me in to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And the earth has nothing that I desire beside you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but you are the strength of my heart and my portion. Please be my portion now as I open up your word. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reading
Gen 1:24-31.
“And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. 25. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 26. 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.” 27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
28. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29. And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. 30. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”
Meditation
If you remember back to when we looked at day one, you’ll remember that what we saw is that God’s purpose for creation is to fill creation with his glory and presence. On day one, when God said “Let there be light”, he wasn’t talking about physical light. The light of the sun, moon, and stars was created on day four. No, when God said: “Let there be light”, he was referring to the light of his own glory. In 1 John 1:5 we read that “God is light”. In 1 Timothy 6 we hear the report that God dwells in light. Many other scriptural references show the way that light is a reference to the glory and presence of God as well. So when God says “let there be light” on day one, what he’s saying is that he intends to fill the creation with his glory and presence. The image of God in man has a very important and key role to play in this divine plan, because man is the glory of God (1 Cor 11:17).
When man is created on day six we get a clearer idea of exactly how God intends to fill the creation with his glory and presence. We find that he intends to fulfill this big-picture plan chiefly by making man in his own image. So also, as mankind multiplies the image of God in creation, his glory thus extends, and blessing fills the earth. Tragically however, as we’ve seen, when man fell into sin, this image was defiled and broken. But that was not to be the end of the story, for even though Adam failed in this calling, there came at last a second Adam who did not fail. In Jesus Christ, the image of God in man was renewed and restored.
And so at this point, from a biblical theological perspective, we draw out an important doctrine: that Christ Jesus the man is the good and unbroken image of the invisible God. We read of this in 2 Corinthians 4:4, so also in Colossians 1:15 which says that he is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation”. The image of God was at last restored in man! But this was not to be a one-off event either, because for all who believe in Christ that broken, shattered image can be likewise renewed and restored. Let me lead us through a series of passages that establish this teaching.
In Romans 8:29 we read: “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Now do you see what that is saying? We already know that Christ is the image of the invisible God, and that – unlike us – he did not defile that image with sin. Now here in Romans 8:29 the Apostle Paul shows us that for those who are saved, we are being conformed into the very same image of his Son! The original image of God was defiled in us, but in Christ we are renewed and remade in the image of God again.
Consider also Ephesians 4:22-24. As Paul addresses the Ephesians, he says that as they learned about and received Christ, they had so learned to “put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and… be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and… put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” In other words our old, fallen nature was corrupted and the original image of God within us was corrupted by our sin. When we came to believe in Christ, however, we learn that we are to put on the new self which is created after the likeness and image of God. In another passage of significance, Colossians 3:10, we read: “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator”. As we come to believe in Christ, the truth is clear: God renews the divine image within us.
Be ye doers of the word…
Since Christ is image of the invisible God, and in Christ we are called and transformed into the same image again, we have the duty, the need, and the privilege of setting Christ before our vision. That is what we must always be in the business of doing – setting Christ before our eyes. In our old self, there is a shattered remnant of God’s likeness. But this likeness has been defaced, corrupted, and deformed, and our only hope for seeing this image restored to us is if we set Christ before our vision always. Are you an unbeliever? Then you are lost in sin, and you must come to Christ – you must set him before your vision always. You must believe because, unless you do, your life will be nothing but a broken mirror with pieces lying on the ground.
But even for those of us who are believers, the principle remains the same. We must set Christ before our vision always. What is it that you are setting before your eyes each week? What is it that has your attention and your heart? Because if it’s anything other than Christ, then our lives will be nothing but broken, shattered mirrors. We will not find God’s image on an endless stream of updates and feeds from our social network of choice. We will not find the image of God by binge watching on our favourite streaming service. We will not find it if we fix our attention on career goals, family life, or our best friend. Our only hope is to fix our eyes constantly on Christ. That is how the image of God will be renewed within us.
In 2 Corinthians 3:18, we find this wonderful picture of how this transformation occurs: “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. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” Do you want to live life as it is supposed to be lived? Do you want to live a life of purpose in Christ? Do you want to be more holy? Do you want to step outside of the stream of filth flowing from a godless culture and be counted in the cause of Christ? Do you want to be able to stand against the attacks of the evil one? Do you want to be cleansed of your inner corruptions? Then look to Christ. Set Christ before your vision always, and in the light of his presence you will find life, and strength, and hope. In Christ, you will renewed according to the image of the invisible God. Brothers and sisters, Let us look to Christ. SDG.
Prayer of Confession & Consecration
Almighty God, I praise you that you did not abandon humanity when we defiled your image within us. In justice, you might have destroyed us, or left us to our own devices – even that would have been far more mercy than we deserved. And yet, in your great compassion not only have you given us grace and mercy, but you have established a plan of salvation that would restore your image in man. O Lord, I thank and praise you for revealing this plan to me through Jesus Christ your Son. I pray, Lord, please hasten that transformation in my life! Help me to set my eyes upon your glory, as revealed in Christ. And by your Spirit’s power, in beholding your glory, may I be constantly restored into your image. Please make the excellencies and beauties of your character to be established and growing in my life. Forgive me for my sins, and come to my aid, I pray. My need is great, and if you do not come my life will fade and waste away. Be merciful to me, O Lord, according to your unfailing love. According to your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity, and cleanse me from all my sins. Create in me a clean heart, O God. And renew an upright spirit within me. So too for your people in my local church, Lord may you so work in them as to gloriously restore your image in their lives. To the glory of your name alone I pray, Amen.
Get full access to Old things New. at rcbhpastor.substack.com/subscribe