Have you ever paused to ask yourself why you’re here on earth? From the beginning, humanity was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27). We were made to represent God, reflect His nature, reign over His creation, and live in communion with Him. However, through sin, humanity failed to embody this divine image faithfully. Instead of reflecting God’s glory, we chose our way, breaking our relationship with the Creator. Into this broken world came Jesus Christ, the perfect image of God, who would restore what humanity had lost.
Jesus: The Image of God Humanity Failed to Be
“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15a).
“The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command” (Hebrews 1:3).
During His time on earth, Jesus was the visible image of the invisible God. He radiated God’s glory and perfectly revealed His character. Through His life and ministry, He demonstrated what living as God’s image truly means. In every word and action, Jesus represented God fully—something humanity was created for but failed to accomplish.
In John 8, Jesus contrasts His way of life with the religious leaders who opposed Him. He says, “I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father” (John 8:38 NLT). This stark contrast reveals that while humanity had followed the ways of a corrupted father, one defined by rebellion and deception, Jesus alone lived in perfect communion with the Father.
Where Adam sought autonomy, Jesus sought submission. He declared, “I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me… For I always do what pleases him” (John 8:28–29 NLT). He did not act independently or for personal glory. He said, “I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges” (John 8:50). Every word, every action of Jesus was a pure reflection of the Father’s will.
Jesus’ faithfulness revealed the Father and showed us what true humanity was always meant to be. He lived as God’s representative, walking in righteousness, mercy, truth, and love. As such, Jesus was the embodiment of what it means to be God’s image in flesh (John 1:18). In Him, the divine and the human were perfectly united.
Restoring the Broken Image
On the cross, Jesus bore the consequences of our failure to live as God’s image-bearers. He took upon Himself our sin and shame, our rebellion and self-will. And in His resurrection, He defeated the powers of death and sin that had enslaved humanity since the fall.
Through His death and resurrection, Jesus opened a way back to being what we were meant to be. Now, He forgives our failures and renews our nature. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This new creation is an opportunity for a fresh start. It is about being remade into the image of Christ Himself (Romans 8:29; Ephesians 4:24).
Living as God’s Image in Jesus’ Name
Those who trust in Christ are called to live in His name, meaning we live as His representatives, empowered by His Spirit. Just as Jesus only spoke what He heard from the Father (John 8:26), we are now invited to listen to His voice and walk as He walked. We become extensions of His presence in the world, proclaiming His truth, doing His works, and loving with His love.
Living in Jesus’ name means being empowered and authorized to represent Him through your words, actions, and way of life. It means to be conformed to His character, bear His fruit (Galatians 5:22–23), and reflect His light in the darkness (Matthew 5:14–16). In practical terms, this translates to:
- Loving others: Treating people with respect and compassion, regardless of background, because every person is made in God’s image.
- Being honest and just: Living with integrity and fairness, standing up for what’s right.
- Seeking peace and reconciliation: Promoting peace and harmony in relationships and society.
- Creating and nurturing: Using your talents and resources to impact the world positively.
- Seeing your everyday work as a sacred calling: Seeing your legitimate business or career as a means to honor God and promote the flourishing of creation, carried out in harmony with His will.
Conclusion
Jesus came to restore us to our original purpose: to be the image of God on earth. In Him, we see what humanity was always meant to be. Through Him, we are made new, filled with the Spirit, and sent into the world as true ambassadors of God’s kingdom (2 Corinthians 5:20).
In His life, we see the blueprint. In His death, we find forgiveness. In His resurrection, we receive power. And in His name, we walk into the calling we were made for: to be the image of God, restored through Christ.
