The Likeness of God

Genesis 1:26

Message No. 0674 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca

In the past when some people did something wrong, we used to hear them say “the devil made me do it.” Well, that devil had put many people in jail, and they are still there, because it turns out the laws of countries do not recognize the devil. Sadly, in our current societies, we have begun to see people doing wrong and now claiming that God made them do it.

A recent example was in a country where a pastor made his congregants to fast to death in order to see God. Before the pastor was arrested, more than 100 people had died and their graves were discovered after the authorities became aware of what was going on. Those who were still alive while fasting were rescued and taken to the hospital but there were reports that many of them were refusing food and treatment because they did not want to miss the opportunity to see God. When you mention the name of God, there are people who would go to ridiculous lengths to comply with what you say, so we find ourselves in situations where the very people God relies upon to feed the sheep have turned around and are now killing the sheep instead.

In Genesis chapter 1 verse 26, the Bible says that God created man in His own Image and Likeness:

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

Now, if God created us in His image, why have we derailed so far away that our daily actions have become the complete opposite of who God is? If Jesus defeated and commanded the devil to get behind Him, why do we so easily act in agreement with what the devil does or says? Where is that image that God put in us? Where is the dominion that He empowered us to exert over His other creatures? Why have we reduced ourselves to doing what the creatures we are supposed to dominate are doing, or, in some cases, worse?

Having the likeness of God means that we ought to be able to decipher good from evil, truth from error, and wisdom from stupidity. Man handed over his God-given authority to the devil in Eden and we all know the outcome of that, until Christ came to save us. Are we back to Eden already? If we claim to have repented, does the Bible not say we should bring forth fruits worthy of repentance? (Matthew 3:8). Where is the likeness of God that we claim to have, and that God wants to show off in us?

Those of us who profess Christ, does our conscience not trouble us when we say certain things or take certain actions or connive in certain questionable circumstances? Or, have we succumbed to the teachings of demons delivered by hypocritical liars whom the Bible says in 1 Timothy 4:1-2, have had their consciences seared with a hot iron? In some cultures, if a son acts completely at variance with his father’s usual behavior, people are quick to label him with a name I can’t write here, but with meaning saying that the son must have been born by someone other than the father. Surely if we have the likeness of God in us, then we need to behave as God does, don’t we?

Preachers of old introduced a tool to their congregations decades ago: WWJD – What would Jesus do? When we are faced with a decision-making circumstance or a choice of what to do or say or how to behave or respond, perhaps this old tool can help us? When a preacher introduces to us what is clearly at variance with the Word of God, or a friend is asking us to do something that our spirit does not agree with, or we are tempted or encouraged to disobey the law or we are clearly frustrated and are being introduced to some method that would supposedly address our frustration outside of God’s own methods, are these not the times to wait a bit and ask what Jesus would do in such situations?

Writing to the Philippians in chapter 2 verse 5, Paul admonished the church in Philippi to “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” If we are truly God’s children, created in His image and likeness, then we are expected to behave the way He does, and even the unbelievers know this. Do you have the likeness of God in you?

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 If you are yet to give your life to Christ, you do not have a covenant with God and His promises do not apply to you. To come under these promises, please surrender your life to Christ today, by praying this prayer:
 Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
 If you prayed the foregoing prayer, you have just been born again. Please find a Bible believing church in your area and ask to see the pastor. Let him or her know that you have just given your life to Christ and s/he will guide you on next steps in your journey as a child of God. The Lord bless you!