(By Rachel Joyce)
“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27).
“So all of us [Christians]…can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
In the first three chapters of Genesis, we read of the creation of the first couple and the ensuing devastation caused by their sin. Their disobedience resulted in banishment from their idyllic home and destroyed their intimacy with God. Instead of radiating God’s glory, they reflected their own brokenness and shame.
We have all seen the damage sin causes. It is a stealer and a destroyer. It promises pleasure and gratification, but instead inflicts wounds and drives us from the presence of the One who is the source of all that is good — peace, joy, security, love, etc.
We were created in His image to bear His likeness. We were designed to show forth His glory.
When we choose to sin, it disfigures us. His image becomes distorted. Sin obscures the glory of God in our lives and we don’t even realize what we have lost. How differently it was with our Lord: “The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God” (Hebrews 1:3).
The work He is doing in us daily is conforming us to His image. As He brings us through trials and allows difficulties in our lives, He’s working in us to purify and transform us so that we can reflect His glory, so He can shine through us. As we allow Him to work and submit to Him, we are changed day by day.
This is the truth of restoration and I believe it will continue in each of us until we are face to face with our glorious Lord. Then we will have the full joy of looking into His beautiful face and bowing before His nail-scarred feet. His presence will satisfy every longing and our hearts will be filled with Him.