What does it mean when the Bible says we are made in the image of God?

Question

To me, it means that all of us exhibit certain characteristics of God which our Lord reveal in Himself, ie. merciful, kindness, forgiving, loving, compassionate, humility, serving but not to be served attitude.

Be it believers or non-belivers alike as we complent one another to send forth god's love around the globe.

peace to all. What's your views?

Answer 1

Yes that was what I would say, love, kindness, etc.

Answer 2

The Christian view is that there is one God and that He is sovereign over the universe He created. The Christian view is that God is loving. He is orderly and He embedded order into the created universe. The Christian view is that humans were created in God's image and that they are fallen and yet are redeemed by Christ. Being made in God's image, humans are capable of discovering and understanding the order that God embedded into His creation. Truth exists in an absolute sense, and this truth is available to humans who seek it. As is the case with truth, "The Good" exists in the character of God, and God has made it known through the Bible. From a Christian perspective, not only can "The Good" be known, but, by the redemptive power of God, humans can live lives that conform increasingly to "The Good." The Christian view is that God has a purpose and a plan for this created universe, and history is the unfolding of that purpose and plan. And, of course, the Christian view is that God has commanded humans to do certain things, such as subdue the earth and make disciples of all nations.

they had an interesting debate
http://forum.quoteland.com/1/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=586192041&f=770193847&m=7181072021&p=2

http://worldinvisible.com/radio/realfile/life084.html

http://worldinvisible.com/radio/realfile/life081.html

Answer 3

Hello! God, who created us, is a TRIUNE being, and so in like fashion He made us triune as well... hence we have a spirit, soul, and a body. God made us with a will and a personality, even as He has a will and personality. Prior to Adam's sin by eating the forbidden fruit, the IMAGE OF GOD in him was perfect, unmarred, and beautiful. As God reigns in heaven, so man was/is to reign on earth as His agent on earth. Adam's fall marred us as he was the federal head of mankind, and so we fell under the same condemnation as it were. The scripture says "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive (I Cor.15:22). Adam died spiritually though he did live over 900 years. The Word says a 1000 years are as day to the Lord, even so when Adam sinned he didn't live over that age. So we are made yet still in God's image, though marred greatly by sin, and consequently have this "God shaped vacuum" within our being that only HE can fill. Man was the only thing in creation that was given a will. We can choose our spiritual destiny. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

You've got a good question and answer here. When God said let us, He and the Elohim, make man in our image and after our likeness make thee man. Close enough. This is exactly what he meant.
We look like God, having the appearance of Him in so many ways. We have feelings like God as we are made just like Him.

This husk or shell enables us to survive on this planet. It is in the image of God. but better yet, inside these bodies there is contained our spiritual body which can exist in the presence of God. Neat huh.><>

Answer 5

All that you have cited could be seen in the animal kingdom.

While I don't believe the statement, I think the meaning of the statement is that we think like god because it is our capability for thought which distinguishes us from other animals.

Of course, if you take the bible literally, then god has a human shaped spiritual body, whatever the hell that means.

Answer 6

John 17:3,5,24;
Col.1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Rev.3:12,13;
Gen.1:26;
God Said,"Let us make man in our image, after our likeness."

Jesus and Adam was created in the image of God. He lived almost 1000 years. Adam LOST it for him and us. Evil did rule. Gen.6:13; 8:21;
Adam was a created soul, the life of his soul was the spirit of God, we are born souls and we die, imperfect in sin from Adam, anything can happen to us at any age, James 2:26; we only have one thing that belongs to God, the spirit of life, Psm.104:29,30; so we are promised a resurrection souls to SALVATION. 1Cor.15:22-28,51-53; As in Adam all [ ALL ], die, even so in Christ shall all [ ALL ], be made alive. The heavenly first as firstfruits for the new heavens, the earthly for the new earth [ that after 1000 years Rev.20:1-6,12,13; remain as perfect ]; 2 Pet.3:13; Rev.21:1-5; All is made new.

John 4:24; God is a Spirit and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Gal.5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Answer 7

Mind, Body, and Spirit.

Triune beings as Humans reflect the Triune nature of God.

Answer 8

Yes that is true we do share in some of the Characteristics of God sense we are made in his image

Answer 9

We are beings capable of creative acts. We have purpose , wills and reason lacking by the degrees exhibited in other animal species. We are also triune in nature as God is triune. Spirit, soul and body.

Answer 10

well... you might have a point...

but I also believe that we were created in His literal image. Arms, legs etc... what about all the other creations of God on other worlds before us.... do they have the characteristics of God? (ie. mercy, compassion etc.)

I believe every creation of God has/had these traits before sin anyway.... its sin that ruined it all

God Bless

Answer 11

it truly is a metaphor we use to assert that no count number number how diverse easily everyone looks, there is aside of each human that makes us an identical. a normal thanks to assert it truly is that we are made in God's photo. also, because Christians have self belief that Jesus became God's son, Jesus is seen to be made in God's photo...he regarded an identical as anybody else etc etc...