The Image we Bear

via TJC 

Genesis 1: 26  Then God said” let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness..”

You bear the image of God. What is that supposed to look like? Well I’m no theologian but when I read that he made us in his image I don’t think that he was talking about how we look. I believe he was talking about that which makes us different then all other living things that he created. We have souls within us. We have the ability to create and build. We are conquerors, caretakers and we want to defend the weak.  We desire love, to give it and receive it just like he does. When we bear the image of God we must be different from the world around us.

Romans 12:2 do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his perfect will. 

You are filled with courage to do what is right so that God's will be done. God has chosen you to represent him on this earth and pursue his will wherever you are. “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”. He already gave us everything that we could ever need to accomplish our task. All we have to do is trust that he will lead us. 

Contrary to popular belief, serving him will come at a cost. What good is any service if it doesn’t come from a sacrifice? Are you willing to sacrifice something in your life today in order to follow Christ? He says take up your Cross and follow me. 

Ask yourself: Have I taken up the cross or have I been guilty of seeking the comfort of lukewarm Christianity? What do I look like in the eyes of others with my actions?

I spent years working for a man that married a Thai woman who worshiped Buddha. He always loved to talk about politics and religion. Although he had no beliefs but rather cherry picked from all religions, he loved to ask me what I believed. I would always answer the question directly and let him try and convince me why I was wrong but I would just be quiet and smile. He loved talking so much that he invited me and my family over on several occasions and we would eat with them. My family and I always pray before we eat so I always asked if they would like to join us (with Buddha sitting right behind me). I would pray and we would all eat and he would continue with his questions. Occasionally throughout the years I would think about him during prayer and say a prayer over him and his wife. One day out of the blue after years he called me up emotional and told me he just accepted Christ. I cheered him on and asked how did this happen, what made you believe? He told me every time I was alone working he would watch how I acted knowing I was alone. Every time he would challenge my faith with questions and  doubts , I would always answer quietly and respectfully then keep on working. Every time we ate together he was watching how my family and I prayed. He said that he saw something different in my family that he hadn’t seen before.

Now I am not saying that I am a perfect Christian by any means and I most definitely am not taking credit for his salvation (that belongs entirely to the Holy Spirit). The point was that I was willing to stand by my faith and trust the lord to do his work even if it cost me my job. 

Daily Battle Order - share in this prayer “Father, thank you for creating me in your image. Please give me the courage and strength to do the hard things. To do what’s right even when I think that I am all alone. I ask that you help me to carry integrity and bravery all the days of my life. Help me to be slow to anger but swift to forgive. Help me to love like you love and give like you give. Thank you for your sacrifice my Father. Now I ask that you help me to be willing and able to sacrifice what needs to be sacrificed in my life for you. Amen”