TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE
Memorize this Verse: (Cover the verse text and using just the first letters of each word try to recite the entire passage.)
26. A G S L U M M I O I A O L A L T H D O T F O T S A O T F O T A A O T C A O A T E A O E C T T C U T E
In contrast to animals in verses 20 and 24 where God said, “Let the waters bring forth” and “Let the earth bring forth,” He now says, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” All others reproduce after their kind,” but man is the only one made in the image of God and reproducing in that image (5:3).
The terms “image” and “likeness” are used synonymously, and refer primarily to man’s spiritual resemblance (rationally and morally) to his Maker. God placed a chasm between man and the beast, for only man has the capacity for eternal life, fellowship, moral discernment, self-consciousness, speech, and worship.
“Us … our”: The first clear indication of the triunity of God (3:22; 11:7). The very name of God, Elohim (1:1), is a plural form of El.
“Man”: The crowning point of creation, a living human, was made in God’s image to rule creation. Even after the Fall, man retains this image of God (9:6; James 3:9), though it has been marred. The plural pronoun “us” is most likely a majestic plural from the standpoint of Hebrew grammar and syntax.
“Our image”: This defined man’s unique relation to God. Man is a living being capable of embodying God’s communicable attributes (9:6; Rom. 8:29; Col. 3:10; James 3:9). In his rational life, he was like God in that he could reason and had intellect, will, and emotion. In the moral sense, he was like God because he was good and sinless.
“Image and likeness of God”: Man was created in both the image and likeness of God. An image is a representation or replica of one person or thing by another. An image may be similar but not necessarily identical to its original. The term “likeness” is used as a gauge of comparison, or analogy. When man fell, he retained an impaired image of God (9:6).
Regaining a likeness of God is one of the accomplishments of salvation. Our spiritual likeness is restored in justification. Our character likeness is being continuously developed in the process of sanctification. We will be like Christ physically when we are glorified. God’s purpose in our lives today is to conform us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29; Gen. 1:26-27; Heb. 4:12).
Today's Bible Reading Plan selections can be found below. If you don't have a Bible with you, just click the references to read each passage online:
Old Testament
Ezekiel 17-19 — 8.0 minutes
Job 6 — 5.0 minutes
New Testament
John 8:31-47 — 4.0 minutes
2 Peter 3:1-9 — 2.5 minutes
Total Average Read Time — 19.5 minutes
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