Made in His Likeness: Part One

Genesis 5:1 — 'In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him' — set over a painting of dawn light breaking across a clay hillside, carrying the Time Is At Hand name and address

God made man in His own likeness, to reflect His character and His righteousness. Sin tarnished that image — but it was never abandoned. Part one looks at what we were made to be, what was lost in the fall, and how the likeness is restored.

According to Genesis chapter 5 verse 1:

Genesis 5:1 — This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;

He fashioned them in love and "created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."

Why this likeness matters

Why is this so important? God wanted man and woman to reflect His image, to resemble His likeness in character and in righteousness.

However, due to the fall of man since Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden, man's image has been tarnished with the filthiness of sin.

Where do we stand now? We are no longer connected to that love of God, no longer shining with His glory and brightness. We have lost our glow and fallen into the pit of the miry clay.

How then can His likeness be restored?

We must seek God daily. As the word says:

Mark 9:29 — And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Mark 9:29 — 'This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting' — set over a painting of a clay oil lamp burning alone in a dark room

The means Christ namedNot a technique, and not a shortcut — the two things He put in the disciples' hands when their own strength had failed.

Through studying the Bible and being obedient to God's word, the Holy Spirit will come to dwell inside us and regenerate and transform us into His image.

This is not a one-step process. It requires us to pick up our cross and die to ourselves daily.

Four things asked of us in the restoring of God's image — seeking God daily, prayer and fasting, the word obeyed, and the cross taken up daily

Four things asked of usNone of them is the work itself. The work is God's; these are the door we leave open to Him.

Why the enemy fights it

And this is why Satan seeks to destroy us — for he knows that if we can get close to God we will be transfigured. He knows his time is limited, and hence pursues us like a hawk to its prey.

However, we need not fear. God is at hand, delivering us from the pit of hell, drawing us nigh with His tender love and compassion. It is His desire to embrace us and take us under His wing. He will stop at nothing to ensure our rightful position as His beloved children is restored.

Our connection to His Majesty is fulfilled in the fullness of Christ, and we can cast all our anxieties onto God, knowing that we are more than conquerors through Him.

Today

Let us ponder on these things today as we look forward to His soon coming. For:

Psalm 118:24 — This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Part Two follows.

First published at https://timeisathandlive.org/blog/made-in-his-likeness — Time Is At Hand Evangelistic Ministries. Read more studies at timeisathandlive.org.

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Written and published by the team at Time Is At Hand — Devon Searchwell and Amirata Rahimi (Ata).

Time Is At Hand Evangelistic Ministries

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