God’s Image: Restored “Unity”
Then God said, “Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make Man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness]; and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, and over the entire earth, and over everything that creeps and crawls on the earth.”
So God created Man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them.
And God blessed them [granting them certain authority] and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subjugate it [putting it under your power]; and rule over (dominate) the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves upon the earth.” Genesis 1:26-28 AMP
The man named his wife Eve (life spring, life giver), because she was the Mother of All the Living. Genesis 3:20
Now the serpent was more crafty (subtle, skilled in deceit) than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And the serpent (Satan) said to the woman, “Can it really be that God has said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden, except the fruit from the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God said, ‘You shall not eat from it nor touch it, otherwise you will die.’ ” For God knows that on the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened [that is, you will have greater awareness], and you will be like God, knowing [the difference between] good and evil.” And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise and insightful, she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of the two of them were opened [that is, their awareness increased], and they knew that they were naked; and they fastened fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent beguiled and deceived me, and I ate [from the forbidden tree].” To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth; In pain you will give birth to children; Yet your desire and longing will be for your husband, And he will rule [with authority] over you and be responsible for you.” Genesis 3:1-3, 5-7, 13, 16, 20 AMP
And the Lord God said, “Behold, the Man has become like one of Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), knowing [how to distinguish between] good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take from the tree of life as well, and eat [its fruit], and live [in this fallen, sinful condition] forever. . therefore the Lord God sent Adam away from the Garden of Eden, to till and cultivate the ground from which he was taken. Genesis 3:22-23
For,
…[God does not overlook sin and] the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who in their wickedness suppress and stifle the truth, because that which is known about God is evident within them [in their inner consciousness], for God made it evident to them. For ever since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through His workmanship [all His creation, the wonderful things that He has made], so that they [who fail to believe and trust in Him] are without excuse and without defense. For even though they knew God [as the Creator], they did not honor Him as God or give thanks [for His wondrous creation]. On the contrary, they became worthless in their thinking [godless, with pointless reasonings, and silly speculations], and their foolish heart was darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory and majesty and excellence of the immortal God for an image [worthless idols] in the shape of mortal man and birds and four-footed animals and reptiles…. [by choice] they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. Romans 1:18-23, 25 AMP
In the Image of God, male and female, He created them, not physical but spiritual personality and moral likeness.
The imago Dei is that in Man which constitutes him as him-whom-God-loves — John Piper, The Image of God An Approach from Biblical and Systemic Theology
The early church fathers were quite agreed that the image of God in man consisted primarily in man’s rational and moral characteristics, and in his capacity for holiness. Louis Berkhof, Systemic Theology
Jesus
… is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact Imprint of His Nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, Hebrews 1:3
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Colossians 1:15
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. I Corinthians 15:49
So also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. I Corinthians 15:45
Therefore,
…put on the new [spiritual] self who is being continually renewed in true knowledge in the image of Him who created the new self— a renewal in which there is no [distinction between] Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, [nor between nations whether] barbarian or Scythian, [nor in status whether] slave or free, but Christ is all, and in all [so believers are equal in Christ, without distinction]. So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper]; bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive. Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others]. Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]. Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:10-17 AMP
For,
Christ is all, and in all [so believers are Equal in Christ, without distinction]. Colossians 3:11
Hebrew word study:
Mother – Strong leader, First, God the Father Water (First strong water giver)
Father – Strong leader, First, God the Father House, tent, son, family, Son of God (Strong Leader and Protector of the House)
God forgive us for exchanging truth for a lie, for worshipping the created rather than the Creator, for corrupting Your image.
Lord restore Your image in us. Bring unity and oneness back to Your Holy Church for we are Your children, sons and daughters, of the most high God.
We repent in dust and ashes. God save us from what we have become.