Image- Bearing

Genesis 1:26a tells us that "God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." (ESV) After giving man dominion over the animals, the Holy Spirit goes on to say that "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them. So the very first thing that we learn about the creation of the human race is that we are made like God. This is not said of angels, animals or any other part of his creation. Adam's sin mars and distorts this. But Romans 8:29 says that "those whom he (God) foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." (ESV) One way to understand the process of sanctification is as the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in regenerated people to make them more like Jesus. "But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thess 2:13-14 ESV)
On reflection of how we respond to this sanctifying work of the Spirit, it appears there are three primary ways. One is by divine revelation where God gives a person insight through reading the Word, prayer etc. In a famous passage, Jesus says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me..." (Matthew 11:28-29a ESV) Mathetes, the underlying Greek word translated "disciple" means a learner. A second method is through others, whether in direct teaching, or by observation. Psalm 145:4 says, "One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts." (ESV) Fathers are told to bring up their children "in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4 ESV) Finally we have what I refer to as the "hard way," i.e. painful, personal experience. God is faithful to do this when we choose not to employ the other methods. (Heb. 12:6) It seems that human nature requires most of us to learn in this way much of the time. While all learning, or sanctification has value, the hard way often takes years or even decades. As long as we are learning, however slowly, the Holy Spirit is bringing us closer to the glorious privilege of bearing the image of God through Christ as originally intended.