One of the most intriguing, to me, Christian teachings/doctrines is the concept that mankind was created in the image of God. The meaning of this has puzzled me for many years. I am familiar with the common explanation that being made in God’s image means that humans have certain attributes that are similar to some of God’s own characteristics, properties like intellect, free will, creativity, and love, and these attributes set apart humans from animals. Growing out of this concept is the emphasis that being made in God’s image means that every human has great worth; every person is valuable and so should be respected and cherished and protected. I agree with this explanation, but not totally because there is more to the image of God than having similar characteristics. (There is also more to it than the idea that we should obey God’s commands or follow Jesus’ example in our behaviors in order to be “like him.”) I became really interested in learning more when I found out that neither “the image of God” nor “the likeness of God” are mentioned in the Bible after Genesis 9:6 until the New Testament. The concept of humans being made in God’s image is never mentioned in God’s dealings with Abraham, nor with Moses, nor in the Law given to Israel, nor in Psalms or Proverbs, nor in any of the prophets. It’s not mentioned by Jesus in the four Gospels. Then suddenly it reappears several times in some of the epistles, cited mostly by Paul and John, once by James. I was surprised when I saw that – puzzled, intrigued. What is it about mankind being created in God’s image that called for it to be ignored for centuries1 then, after Jesus accomplished salvation, it was a truth presented again in Scripture (with a new twist)?
Being in God’s image is not just mentioned in passing in the New Testament. It is revealed (with a new twist) to be a critical truth for followers of Jesus. It is a reality for us to believe, understand, and live out.
For now, here is one of those times it is taught. In Colossians 3:10 (NIV), Paul wrote: You have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. This statement is a description of a person who is believing in Jesus, a person who is following Jesus, indeed a person who has been “raised with Christ” (Colossians 3:1). I’ll briefly summarize what it is saying.
“You” – this is personal. It’s about you as an individual human being. It’s for everyone, yes, but we’re zeroing in on you – who you are, what you are about.
“Put on the new self” – an activity is going on, something is happening. It’s not the same old same old. It’s not way the it’s always been. It’s not like you’re used to. A new self, a fresh you is coming about.
“Renewed in knowledge” – the activity going on is a reconstructing, remaking, restoring. It’s a process that’s dynamic, powerful, life-changing. It’s happening in knowledge – something you’re starting to understand. You’re getting it. It’s becoming real for you.
The remaking action is “in the image of its Creator.” That’s where this process is going. That’s the goal, the ultimate outcome. What’s happening is you personally are getting remade in the image of your Creator. This is just beyond everything else we get taught, exposed to, called to. A worn down old man like me, and a ______ like you are getting made to be images of God. BOOM! 
But you know, this should be basic. It should be foundational. It should be one of the first things we learn about our life in Christ. After all, it’s the first thing said about humans in the Bible: “God created mankind in his own image” (Genesis 1:27). We have to get this. This is something we must grasp. So much is riding on this.
Check back in a few days for Part 2. Better yet, subscribe to the blog ———->
Footnote: 1 Humans being created in God’s image is mentioned a couple of times in books that are included in the Apocrypha, essentially repeating Genesis 1:27.