FATHERHOOD IN GOD’S IMAGE

Men, fatherhood from a biblical perspective is primarily not about the furtherance of man’s image, Adam’s image, the image of man from an earthly perspective, or the furtherance of our own family name or image. As Christians, we must see ourselves as the “children of God.”

Genesis 1:26 says: “And God said, Let us make man in our image after our likeness: and let them have dominion . . .” Basically, man was created for the sole purpose of revealing the image and likeness of God. In this image of God, he rules over all of God’s creation on earth.

Genesis 1:27 says: “So God created men in his own image, in the image of God created he him; female and female created he them.”

GOD’S FIRST MANDATE TO MANKIND

Genesis 1:28: “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion . . ." I firmly believe God only wants His image to rule over His created earth. Tragically, after the fall of man, revealed in Genesis chapter three, man lost the image and likeness of God. He even hid himself from the glorious presence of God amongst the trees of the garden.

However, by the grace and mercy of God, His eternal plan for the redemption of fallen man back to His image immediately came into action (Genesis 3:21). God, as the prototype of all true fatherhood, in His great love and mercy, despite the great fall of man away from His likeness and image, did not give up on His eternal plan to restore man through Jesus Christ, the second Adam (1 Corinthian 15:45-50).

God’s eternal purpose is for His heavenly image and likeness to fill the earth with His glory. To this end and purpose we are created. To this end we must be fruitful in Christ Jesus.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell