Is there someone you want to be like? We often look up to individuals who inspire us with their uniqueness, achievements, or wisdom. Growing up, I admired few people and mentors in the music field, medicine, ministry and career. These remarkable individuals influenced my journey. But recently, as I immersed myself in the New Testament, I found a figure who surpasses them all—Jesus.
The First Adam: A Lost Dominion
When God created Adam, he was made in the image and likeness of God and was given dominion over the earth. However, Adam’s fall disrupted that divine image and authority. He could no longer fully reflect God’s image, likeness, or dominion, and this is where humanity’s struggle began.
The Second Adam: Jesus Christ
Jesus, the “Second Adam,” came to restore what was lost. He was the express image of God, functioning just like God, and had complete dominion over the earth. From calming storms to healing the sick, Jesus demonstrated that both the animate and inanimate obeyed him. His life was a testament to God’s intention for humanity—showing us what God looks like and what we are meant to become.
Believers: The Third Adam
As followers of Christ, we are called to be the “Third Adam”—to reflect God’s image, likeness, and dominion. We are not just passive recipients of God’s grace, but active agents called to embody His nature. But what does it mean to reflect His image? Let’s explore this further.
Reflecting God’s Image
1. God is Love
God is love, and His love was perfectly demonstrated in Jesus, who laid down his life for humanity (1 John 4:8, John 15:13). This same love is what we are commanded to show one another. Love is the ultimate mark of spiritual maturity.
2. God is Holy
Holiness is a core attribute of God, and Jesus embodied it perfectly. As a sinless man, He exemplified what it means to be holy. The call to believers is clear: “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16).
3. God is Faithful
God’s faithfulness is unchanging (Deuteronomy 7:9). Jesus, faithful to the Father’s mission, endured the cross and continues to intercede for us. Likewise, we are called to be faithful in every area of our lives, knowing that faithfulness opens the door to greater responsibility (Luke 19:17).
4. God is Gracious
Grace is a cornerstone of God’s character (Psalm 111:4). Jesus extended grace even to those whom society condemned, like the adulterous woman. As believers, we are called to show grace to others, refraining from condemning where God has not condemned. We must learn to give grace as freely as it was given to us.
5. God is Good
God’s goodness is evident throughout the scriptures (Psalm 100:5). Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, went about doing good and healing those oppressed by evil (Acts 10:38). We too are called to do good, especially within the household of faith (Galatians 6:10).
6. God Gives
The ultimate expression of God’s giving nature is found in John 3:16—He gave His only Son for our salvation. Jesus also embodied this by giving his life. As believers, we are called to be generous, not just with our resources but also with our lives, always ready to give for the sake of others and God’s work (Matthew 23:23).
7. God is Light
From the very beginning, God’s light pierced the darkness (Genesis 1:3). Jesus is the true light of the world (John 1:4-5), and as His followers, we are called to be that light in a dark world (Matthew 5:14). If the world is searching for Jesus, they should see Him reflected in us.
An Express Image of God
The ultimate goal of the believer’s life is to reflect the fullness of God’s image—His love, holiness, faithfulness, grace, goodness, generosity, and light. It is an ongoing journey of becoming the express image of God in a world that desperately needs to see Him.
So, is there someone you want to be like? In the end, Jesus is the one we are called to emulate—not just in parts, but in every way. May we all strive to reflect His image more fully each day.
