I’ve just started reading “Colossians and Philemon for You”. I really like the “God’s Word for You” series, and hope they’ll expand it to include every book of the Bible.
In Colossians 1, I thought the author explained verse 15 very well. If we want to know what someone looks like, we can find their photograph (their image) online. When Paul calls Jesus the image of the invisible God, he’s saying if we want to see what God is like, we can look at Jesus.
So far so good, and it got me thinking about Genesis 1:27, where it says God made humanity in His image. If we want to see what God is like, we can look at Jesus. Furthermore, if the world wants to see what God is like, they should be able to look at us. Wow! I started to consider those in my church made in the image of God: The couple in the retirement complex, with a loving concern for their neighbours; the couple with their rambunctious dog, who remind me of God’s tenderness toward all His creation; the voices lifted in song, just as God sings over us; the lady whose positivity despite everything reminds me of the time Jesus was filled with joy through the Holy Spirit.
God made humanity in His image: Not exclusively the church, but everyone He created. Someone who doesn’t believe in God won’t recognise their good qualities as His handiwork, but as a believer, I can enjoy the fact that God’s fashioning my character, moulding me so I’ll eventually be like Jesus. I know I haven’t always got it right, but I hope people can look at my life and see something of Him in me.
I think the saying “There’s good in the worst of us” must be true, as God is our Maker. Let’s look for the best in everyone and give thanks for it.