God's Purpose for Humanity: Becoming Image Bearers of Christ

Many Christians today have a shallow understanding of God's purpose for humanity. We often think Jesus simply came to save us from sin's penalty, and that's it. But Scripture reveals a much deeper, more transformative purpose that has profound implications for how we live and raise our families.

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What Does It Mean to Be Made in God's Image?

In Genesis 1:26-28, we discover God's original design: "Then God said, 'Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground. So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, 'Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.'" - Genesis 1:26-28 (NLT)

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Being made in God's image involves two key aspects:

Reflecting God's Character

God has both incommunicable attributes (qualities that belong to God alone) and communicable attributes (qualities He shares with humanity). While God is self-sustaining, eternal, all-knowing, all-powerful, and omnipresent, humans reflect His communicable attributes like love, mercy, kindness, and justice.

The difference is that God demonstrates these perfectly 100% of the time, while fallen humanity reflects them imperfectly due to sin.

Living in Community

God exists in perfect community as the Trinity. Similarly, He designed humans for family relationships that stick together, work in harmony, and multiply His image throughout the earth.

How Did Sin Disrupt God's Plan?

Adam was originally created to multiply image bearers of God. But when Adam chose his wife over God, sin entered the world. Genesis 5:3 tells us: "When Adam was 130 years old, he became the father of a son who was just like him—in his very image." - Genesis 5:3 (NLT)

Instead of producing image bearers of God, Adam now produced image bearers of fallen man. This pattern continued through all of humanity - until Christ came.

How Does Christ Restore God's Original Purpose?

First Corinthians 15:21-23 explains the solution: "So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back." - 1 Corinthians 15:21-23 (NLT)

The Seed of Man vs. The Seed of Christ

Those born of flesh do fleshly things. Those born of the Spirit do spiritual things. Christ, as the last Adam, restored what God intended from the beginning - the opportunity to be image bearers of God once again.

What Is God's Ultimate Goal for Believers?

Romans 8:28-30 reveals God's purpose: "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory." - Romans 8:28-30 (NLT)

God's purpose is clear: to conform His people into the image and likeness of Christ. This process, called sanctification, is not optional - it's God's guaranteed work in every believer's life.

What Does This Mean for Christian Families?

Parents Must Lead by Example

More is caught than taught. If children see parents compromising with sin, entertainment from the world, or things opposed to God, they will follow that example. Statistics show that approximately 90% of the time, sons will imitate their fathers in how they conduct themselves, love their wives, and lead their families. Daughters often marry someone similar to their father.

The Call to Multiply Image Bearers

Just as apple trees produce apples, families seeking to produce image bearers will produce more image bearers. Children of those in Christ are born holy and set apart from the world. It's our responsibility to give them a clear example of what it means to truly know, seek, and pursue Jesus Christ.

How Do We Eradicate Sin from Our Lives?

Cut It Off Completely

Many Christians try to gradually eliminate sin from their lives, like cutting a dog's tail off inch by inch each week instead of removing it all at once. This approach only prolongs the pain and prevents true transformation.

Destroy the Giants in Your Land

Just as God left some nations in the Promised Land to test Israel's obedience, He allows certain struggles to remain in our lives to test whether we'll carry out His command to eradicate them completely. We're called to flee from sin, resist the devil, and destroy worldly influences that steal our joy and distract us from our purpose.

Life Application

Your purpose is not simply to be saved from sin's penalty - it's to become the best image bearer of Christ possible. This means working alongside what God is doing through His Spirit and Word, in submission to Jesus Christ, and bringing your children along on this journey.

This week, identify one area of compromise in your life - whether it's entertainment choices, attitudes, habits, or relationships that don't reflect Christ's character. Instead of gradually reducing your involvement, cut it off completely. Remember, you're called to reflect Christ's image perfectly, and sin has no place in that image.

Consider these questions as you apply this truth:

• What "giants" are still dwelling in the land of your heart that need to be completely eradicated?

• How are you actively demonstrating to your family what it means to pursue Christ wholeheartedly?

• Are you content with gradual change, or are you committed to the radical transformation God desires?

• What specific steps will you take this week to better reflect Christ's character in your daily life?

Remember, God never fails at what He sets out to accomplish. He who began a good work in you will complete it. Your calling is to participate actively in becoming the image bearer He created you to be, multiplying His likeness in your family and extending His kingdom to the ends of the earth.