In His Image

Felicito E. Fernando, MD, FAAP

Creator. It's a term used frequently to describe God; an attribute He often uses when describing Himself as He introduces important concepts to us in the Bible, and when He urges us to not forget Him. (Eccl. 12:1).

In the context of Creation, "In His image" refers specifically to us; we who were created in His likeness... created for communion. Our purpose has always been to share loving, reciprocal relationships with our Creator and each other. Yet humans should not be proud, for all His works declare Him. As products of His loving voice and hands, all Creation can teach and tell of Him (Job 12:7-10). In the very broadest sense, there is no language where He cannot be heard.

But not since the Garden of Eden has all creation presented the harmonious voice of the Creator. Once Adam and Eve other objects of worship, dissonance, death, and decay were introduced (Rom 5:12). Corruption of all things created began when we who were created in His image started worshipping and serving the gods created by our own minds and cherishing the works of our own hands. (Deut 4:28)

Since that time relationships have all suffered, our physical bodies have deteriorated and death is our common end. The sources of nutrition for both humans and animals, once solely plant based (Gen 1:29, 30), dwindled to the point where carnivorous behavior is now the customary. All creation, both animate and inanimate was created to endure through eternity. All creation now shows signs of decay.

Those of us who have been raised to believe in a creator God can clearly see evidence of Him in His created works (Ps. 19:1). But because of the death and decay, those who were raised with no such belief, or were taught that there is no God have ample evidence from that same Creation to declare God unworthy of worship. Unlike before, when all Creation only ever declared His handiwork, now all Creation also bears witness to that which He is not.

Since Creation there has always been a remnant who, through faith, cherished and maintained their relationship with their Creator. Throughout time there has always been, despite the corruption wrought by the practice of worshipping lesser gods, a group of people who reflected a more accurate image of Him. Though few, they were known not by their beauty, intelligence, wit or wealth... but by their love. (Deut 6:5, Matt 22:36-49)

The were not "The Chosen" (Is 43:1, 22-25), but those who chose. (Joshua 24:15).

The vestigial image of Him in us is unconditional love. It is not ours to produce, nor is there a naturalistic precedent or pressure in this conditional world that would demand it. We can only accept it from a loving, Creator God for there is no other source... and it is only by His actions that we can know it, (1 John 3:16) and by knowing it, be transformed into His image.

God's love for His creation is not specie-centric; it's all-inclusive. He has regard for animals (Luke 12:6; Ps. 50:10,11; Ex. 23:12) who recognize and praise Him (Rev. 5:11-13) and with them He makes covenants (Gen. 9:12,15,17) Just as all creation once sang His praises in harmony, and all creation was subjected to dissonance and death, now all creation waits in eager expectation for the liberation from its bondage and decay. (Rom. 8:19-21)

The Creator will soon return to restore harmony, peace, and life... and put an end to the death and decay.

In the meantime, His image remains... as long as we love.

Creator. It’s a term used frequently to describe God; an attribute He often uses when describing Himself as He introduces important concepts to us in the Bible, and when He urges us to not forget Him. (Eccl. 12:1)

In the context of Creation, “In His image” refers specifically to us; we who were created in His likeness… created for communion. Our purpose has always been to share loving, reciprocal relationships with our Creator and each other. Yet humans should not be proud, for all His works declare Him. As products of His loving voice and hands, all Creation can teach and tell of Him (Job 12:7-10). In the very broadest sense, there is no language where He cannot be heard.

But not since the Garden of Eden has all creation presented the harmonious voice of the Creator. Once Adam and Eve other objects of worship, dissonance, death, and decay were introduced (Rom 5:12). Corruption of all things created began when we who were created in His image started worshipping and serving the gods created by our own minds and cherishing the works of our own hands. (Deut 4:28)

Since that time relationships have all suffered, our physical bodies have deteriorated and death is our common end. The sources of nutrition for both humans and animals, once solely plant based (Gen 1:29, 30), dwindled to the point where carnivorous behavior is now the customary. All creation, both animate and inanimate was created to endure through eternity. All creation now shows signs of decay.

Those of us who have been raised to believe in a creator God can clearly see evidence of Him in His created works (Ps. 19:1). But because of the death and decay, those who were raised with no such belief, or were taught that there is no God have ample evidence from that same Creation to declare God unworthy of worship. Unlike before, when all Creation only ever declared His handiwork, now all Creation also bears witness to that which He is not.

Since Creation there has always been a remnant who, through faith, cherished and maintained their relationship with their Creator. Throughout time there has always been, despite the corruption wrought by the practice of worshipping lesser gods, a group of people who reflected a more accurate image of Him. Though few, they were known not by their beauty, intelligence, wit or wealth… but by their love. (Deut 6:5, Matt 22:36-49)

The were not “The Chosen” (Is 43:1, 22-25), but those who chose. (Joshua 24:15).

The vestigial image of Him in us is unconditional love. It is not ours to produce, nor is there a naturalistic precedent or pressure in this conditional world that would demand it. We can only accept it from a loving, Creator God for there is no other source… and it is only by His actions that we can know it, (1 John 3:16) and by knowing it, be transformed into His image.

God’s love for His creation is not specie-centric; it’s all-inclusive. He has regard for animals (Luke 12:6; Ps. 50:10,11; Ex. 23:12) who recognize and praise Him (Rev. 5:11-13) and with them He makes covenants (Gen. 9:12,15,17) Just as all creation once sang His praises in harmony, and all creation was subjected to dissonance and death, now all creation waits in eager expectation for the liberation from its bondage and decay. (Rom. 8:19-21)

The Creator will soon return to restore harmony, peace, and life… and put an end to the death and decay.

In the meantime, His image remains… as long as we love.