“So God created man, in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.“
– Genesis 1:27 –
I was reading a book the other day when the chapter I was reading began to focus on being the image bearers of God. Now, as a Christian, I have heard this topic spoken about countless times. And as I’ve taken deep dives into Scripture myself, I can attest to the fact that the concept of image bearing is EVERYWHERE.
But something struck me differently this time; something I had never thought of before. And it’s not so much about the fact that we are made in God’s image, but about the fact that satan tried to slip in and transform us into his image. Have you ever considered this?
In the beginning of Genesis, God creates the whole world. He separates light from dark, divided the waters, made all creatures land and sea. All of which he spoke into life. But with man, it was different. It says, “the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” [Genesis 2:7, ESV] You see the difference there? With all other creation He spoke, but with man, He got into the dirt and formed us. And then from His own being He breathed life into us. Wow! No wonder He calls us His very good creation.
Now, as the story goes, He took man and woman and placed them in the garden to care for it. And in this, not only did He breathe life into them, but He gave them purpose! To cultivate, create and subdue. To multiply and continue the mandate. We were welcomed by God to partner with Him in the keeping of His creation. And He was to walk with us and among us in joy, love, life and abundance. Created to bear His image indeed.
…but what happens next? The serpent arrives. Satan disguised as one of God’s good creatures. Now, if you know the biblical background of Satan’s story, then you know that he was once the angel, Lucifer. Scripture explains that he was in the presence of God as a worshipper, adorned with all sorts of precious jewels [Ezekiel 28:13]. But he became full of himself. He wanted the power. And ultimately, he wanted to be God himself. Well, that wasn’t gonna happen. He was thrown out of heaven with a third of the angels who followed him. [Isaiah 14:12-17]
And here we arrive in the garden. With Adam and Eve, living in life and breath and purpose and joy and abundance. And Satan arrives to ask them some thought provoking questions…
“He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”
But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together
and made themselves loincloths.”
[Genesis 3:1-7, ESV]
DID YOU SEE THAT? He got them to question! He got them to doubt the goodness of God – that God was being honest with them. And they believed the serpent instead of the One who gave them life. And in one bite they were covered in guilt, shame and sin. Now destined for destruction lest their loving Creator should redeem them.
HERE’S THE BIG QUESTION: Who else do you know who is destined for destruction? Covered in guilt and seeks to transform all others into the same image?
Satan. He said he wanted to be like God. But what does God do? He gives life to image bearers.
But Satan’s agenda is always to steal God’s image bearers. To live out his own name as the father of lies [John 8:44] and set man on the path to destruction. And to make man into his image bearer.
BUT HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS – HE CAN’T!
He can try, but he won’t win. Where sin entered the world by his deception and mans doubt, God stepped in and bridged the gap.
Everyone arrives to the edge of the bridge that is the cross of Christ. EVERYONE is given the option to choose the life and abundance, grace and forgiveness that God offers. Satan does not win this battle. God does! If the enemy won, there would be no other option but to lay down and die. But God made another way; to lay down our own lives and live for the glory of the kingdom of God!
SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?
Will you give God everything you have today? Will you yield to Him? Listen to Him? Trust Him? Obey His voice? Bear His image in a way that is honorable?
The enemy is working over time to deceive you. To make you swerve ever so slightly, day by day, off the path that leads to life. To get you to believe that you are efficient all on your own and that there are moment’s in which you do not “need” Jesus. But don’t be fooled, friends. Whether in wealth or in lacking, in good health or bad – you need Him. Every hour, you need Him!
Satan is a lier. But Jesus is Lord! And we are all faced with our options each morning – to choose the Giver of life or to choose things that lead to destruction – to choose Jesus or choose the lies that the world feeds us about so-called life and satisfaction.
Choose Jesus, friends. To live is Christ!
And you need Him. I need Him!
Every hour, I need Him.
Sincerely,
Rebecca ❤️
REBECCA GAROFFOLO 