By Melissa McLaughlin
An Artist’s Image
I love to gaze upon the beauty of an inspired piece of art. My husband is an artist and I enjoy pausing to reflect on his work for long stretches of time. The dynamic colors, the flowing brushstrokes, the composition of objects in the foreground and background, the images and feelings that are captured and expressed. I am truly in awe of artists’ abilities to communicate deep emotions and thoughts through visual art forms.
My husband has painted some pieces which include flowers or landscapes that reflect the glory of God’s magnificent creation. Though at times we walk right past the sunflower growing by the fence post without a second glance, when an artist presents this common flower in a painting, we stop in stillness and wonder at the grandeur it exudes.
However, despite the unique gifts and great efforts of the most talented artist, none can truly capture all the splendor of the flower, for no living object can be fully expressed by a non-living replica.
Made in the Image of God
When I marvel at reality of humankind, being made “Imago Dei”, Latin for made in the “Image of God”, I think how this is so like the artwork which reflects the living flower.
In Genesis 1, we read that, in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. After forming all the living things upon the earth, God created mankind, as recorded here in Genesis 1:27, So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.
Some Biblical scholars maintain that we bear the image of God in a variety of ways, through our inborn moral sense or conscience, our desire for social connection and our mental ability to reason and choose between right and wrong. Others assert we are physically made in God’s image, for His original intent was for humankind to live in the Garden of Eden with Him forever.
The Image is Marred
Ultimately, like all of creation, we were created to reflect the glory of God. Since the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden, when mankind chose to rebel against God and His rule, our image has been marred. We do not reflect the glory of God, as our sin-nature desires to turn away from God and His good plans for us.
We prefer to make God in our own image. Declaring our word, our thoughts and our desires over God’s eternal truth and powerful Word, the Bible.
From the first moment Satan tempted mankind by twisting God’s Word, we continue to battle this twisting of His Word today, in an attempt to make God in our image.
But. For. Jesus.
The Image Restored
Jesus, the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Jesus the One whose appearance was “marred” beyond recognition.
Isaiah 52:13-15 – See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at him— his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness— so he will sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand.
In Jesus’ life laid down, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords let His holy blood pour out to atone for our sins, that we could be born again of the Spirit. In my article, How Do We Enter God’s Rest, we considered how Jesus’ sacrifice moves us from rest to rest. From the rest in the Garden of Eden to rest in heaven.
Here we see how Jesus’ work on the cross sets us on a course from image to image. Once we believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord, we begin the slow journey of being re-made in the image of Christ.
To Bear the Image of the Man of Heaven
As explained by C.S. Lewis, a sculptor may carve a breathtakingly beautiful and lifelike statue of a young boy that he adores for its grace and detail. However, if this same sculptor then gives birth to his own son, born of his own flesh and blood, how much more intensely would he love his own child. The sculpture was merely created and formed by the work of his hands. But the child was born of him, coming from himself, embodying a part of himself. One created by him, the other born of him.
When we believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord, we are born again of His Spirit. The Holy Spirit is sent to indwell the hearts of all who believe that Jesus rose from the dead and confess Him as LORD.
2 Corinthians 3:18 – And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
We were first formed of dust, like the first man Adam. We are now born of the Spirit of God like, Jesus. Instead of simply going from dust to dust, we are now being transformed from image to image.
This profound verse takes my breath away:
1 Corinthians 15:49 – Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.
Let that sink in.
We once bore the image of the man of dust, Adam. And now we are bearing the image of the man of heaven, Jesus.
God Himself,
sent His own Son,
marring His own image,
to restore us
to the divine image of God
which we were created to bear.
Oh Jesus,
Savior and Lord,
Holy One of Israel,
friend of sinners,
may we bear your image well.
Genesis 1:27 – So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Colossians 1:15 – He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Colossians 3:10 – Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Ephesians 4:24 – Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
1 Corinthians 3:18 – 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.
1 John 3:1-3 – See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
Additional Resources:
Bearing the Cross by Bettie GsRAseasons
From Clay to Heaven – Be Amazed by Your God! By Melissa McLaughlin
All Things New – Poem by Melissa McLaughlin
He Restores My Soul – By Melissa McLaughlin
Inspiring this Article – The Hope of God’s Image Bearers – Sermon by Sinclair Ferguson
First, I love the painting by your husband. Second, I love the picture you paint with your words in the post. Such a deep thought to ponder how we now bear the image of the Son of Heaven. May my life truly reflect the beauty of His image within my soul. Thanks Melissa
Thank you for the kind comment about my husband’s painting. I am blessed to be surrounded by the beauty he has created. It is deeply humbling and profound to consider that we now bear the image of the Man of heaven. It’s hard to take in. I pray with you, that my life would reflect His image. Bless you, dear sister!
We are created by Him. What a wonderful feeling to know He created each one of us.
Yes, we are so blessed. The Creator of all things, created each one of us and cares for us so deeply. May we embrace the greatness of His love and goodness more and more.
Such a beautiful painting! And a very well written story of redemption in condensed form. â¤ï¸
Yes, I love that painting, too! Thank you, Dee. The love of our God is truly overwhelming. May you feel blessed in Christ this day!
Thank you, Melissa! You too.
Such fresh insight, Melissa. I didn’t know your husband was an artist. And I’ve never thought about how the fall of man marred our image-bearing of our Creator! So thankful Jesus restored how we bear the image of God’s glory by becoming marred Himself on Calvary’s cross for me and for you! Oh, what amazing grace!
Thank you, Karen! Glory to God! Oh the matchless love of Jesus! We can never fully plunge the depths of His great sacrifice and love. The more deeply we consider His finished work on the cross, the more reason we find to worship and love Him back. Truly, what amazing grace!
Such precious words and Scriptures that have brought me to tears, dear Melissa. 1 Corinthian 3:18 has always been a favorite, but the Lord is stirring something even deeper now in my heart. May I be open to hear His leading. Thank you so much for sharing this today.
Sorry, it’s the verse in 2 Corinthians 3:18. 🙂
<3
Dear Bettie, I thank God that His Word and the magnitude of Christ’s sacrifice for us has touched your heart as it did mine. For some reason, these scriptures hit me like a ton of bricks recently. I was flattened by the greatness of His love. Sacrificial love. Love like no other. I pray you hear His voice of love even now, sweet sister.
Thank you so much again for sharing this beautiful post, Melissa, and confirming how the Lord had been working in my heart. I have linked back to your post here, from my post today. Blessings and love to you dear friend.
Oh Bettie, your post is heartwrenching and beautiful. Thank you for linking and I have linked up with your post. May the shift you felt continue to move you closer to our suffering, marred, lovely Savior. Blessings and love to you, dear friend.
And, thank you dear friend, for linking over to my post today too. You are such an encouragement to me.
Beautiful painting! Beautiful post! God’s work of transformation within us is new each and every day. He is the artist who knows what brushstroke we need at any given moment. His artistry is that of love, and so, it never fails.
I love that painting, too, Linda! My husband has a number of sunflower paintings and each one is beautiful in a different way. Your words paint such a lovely portrait of our Gifted Father, the Master Artist. Yes, He lovingly paints and repaints us into something beautiful. May we reflect the beautiful image of Christ most of all!
The imagery of Jesus, the Lamb of God, allowing his flesh to be torn and his visage marred, thus destroying his beautiful image, so that he might fulfill the mission of his birth as a human man to gain us—this reality is astounding.
He came to be destroyed, to be marred, to lose the image of his beauty, to die, so that we might be gained, God’s children, living forever in his presence forever and ever. For all of this benefit to us, Jesus gladly gave himself, sacrificing himself and his human body to obtain us. This is the most beautiful truth and grace-filled reality of all eternity, that God the Son would die for us.
Beautiful words, Melissa!
Thank you, Melinda. Glory to our Beautiful Savior!
You expressed this so eloquently and passionately, Melinda. I agree, this reality is utterly astounding. The Beautiful One, Jesus Christ, allowed His glory to be marred, that He could restore our sin-soaked souls. That the Son of God would die for us, leaves me on my knees.
Melissa, this is such a profound post! When I stop to take the time to ponder the reality that we are created in God’s image, it’s more than I can truly comprehend. Our perfect God, loving Father, Creator of all made us in His image?! Amazing.
I loved this here: “Instead of simply going from dust to dust, we are now being transformed from image to image.”
There’s so much hope here. Thank you!
Amen Melissa!!
The Lord bless you, dear Kristi Ann!