Three aspects of the image of God – relational, substantive, and functional – show that the image of God is multi-faceted. While the fall of man did not keep people from being in the image of God, it “blurred” the image in that man’s sin nature prevented him from fully living out what it means to be in God’s image. Jesus Christ was the image of God par excellence because he lived it out perfectly in a way that other humans could not because of their sin nature. The redemptive work of Christ makes it possible for us to live out the image of God by imitating Christ’s example: living in union with Him, showing forth His virtues, and proclaiming the Gospel.
Verses: Gen. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 11:7; James 3:9; Gen. 9:6; 5:1-3; Luke 3:38; Ps. 8:5; Gen. 2:25-3:10; Luke 4:5-8; Rom. 5:12-17; 2 Cor. 4:4; John 14:9; 1:18
Teacher: Shawnee Vickery
