What is God's image? The Wesleyan Quadrilateral part two
United Methodists traditionally use a fourfold approach, the Wesleyan Quaderlatteral, to learn about our Christian faith and apply it. In this second part of the four-part series, Pastor Stephen discusses what it means to have a God-embedded consciousness and spirit. Rev. Stephen Handy shares insight on being made in God's image, and the implications it carries for how we related to one another.
Transcript:
Whenever someone takes a picture of you they are actually taking the image of you. This image is a reflection of you at the time that it is taken.
In Genesis 1:26-28, it is said, 26Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” 27 So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Being created in the image of God is simply a reflection and representation of God‘s humanity in the world. Since God is spirit, we are designed out of God’s holy imagination to be reflecting and representing God through Jesus Christ everyday in the world.
One of the ways this imagery is designed within us is in our consciousness - God embedded in our spirit, the ability to be awakened to the consciousness of God, self, other people, animals and God’s blessed creation. Being aware of our surroundings is vital to understanding and discerning how God desires that we participate in God’s beloved world.
Being made in the image of God reflects our ability to show love, be compassionate and do justice. Humanity is designed to be bridge builders, love God and neighbor, and become justice seekers. As image bearers of God, we can make decisions, be rational, and show our feelings and emotions so that love and grace are evident in the world.
Growing up I loved to play the game Connect the Dots. Today that means connecting with others by listening to others. God hears and listens to us in our highs and lows. By being made in the image of God, we possess the ability to be expressions of God’s righteousness, holiness, and faithfulness.
Jesus comes into the world to demonstrate what love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and justice looks like. As we go into the marketplace daily, God invites us to do as Jesus says, “Go and do likewise!” Go and step into spaces of division and despair, offering peace and hope to everyone in that space. Sometimes we get only one opportunity to leave a favorable first impression.
God has formed and fashioned humanity to be image bearers each day of our lives. We can’t shrink, so we must choose to rise up and by light in what is often a dark world. Rise and Shine!
