Text: Genesis 5:3 KJV
Further Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:22; 45-49
And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:
Genesis 5:3
MESSAGE
In Genesis 1:26, God said, Let us make man in our image and after our likeness. In verse 27, man was created in the image and likeness of God – a possessor and carrier of the life and nature of God.
The word image does not imply a physical look but a spiritual nature that flows from God into man. The Bible established that God is Spirit, which implies that God does not possess a physical body as we do (John 14:28).
God’s intention was clear, that the man He made might perpetuate His life on earth. The man was to rule over everything He made. Great dominion was given to Adam, he named all the animals and everything was subject to him.
However, sin came and that nature was contaminated. The Bible says that death reigned. Paradise was lost, Privilege was taken away, rather than having dominion, man is now dominated by the evil one. Man began to carry a new image other than that of God.
In this new image are sickness, poverty, curses, diseases, death and every evil you can think about. This new image manifested in Cain who killed his brother Abel.
That is the image every man after Adam is born with. A sinful nature, which is also called the Adamic nature. This nature cuts man away from God, this nature cannot worship, serve or please God.
In Christ, God undid everything Sin did to Adam. It was a complete reversal and we became sons and daughters of God (John 1:12). Sin’s curse and woe were cancelled because Jesus died rose again. (Romans 5).
If you have not come to Christ, you are still a carrier of that old image. The enemy will continue to cheat you and subject you to hardship. But if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature, God takes the old image away and gives him the image of God in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17).
This is free, salvation is free because Jesus paid the price in full. Do you still want to remain in bondage when you can be free? In this new image is not only forgiveness of sin but deliverance from the power of sin. This is because you now carry the image of God (1 John 3:9).
Today I appeal to you to drop the heavy load of sin upon your back. Jesus wants to give give you rest. Do not procrastinate, don’t delay your salvation. (Mattew 11:28-30).
REFLECTION
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
1 Corinthians 15:49
Although we do not know what we will look like when Jesus appears to rapture us, we are certain that we will be like Him (in His image). (1 John 3:2).
PRAYER
Father, please make me rapturable that I may see you face to face at end of my life.
