ListenIng recently to Genesis 1-4.
Made in the image of God!? What should we expect? Cognition, verbal communication, relational ability, invention, appreciative ability, deductive ability, concern ability, rational expression. Etc, etc

What is the impact of sin on these creation likenesses? How far or deeply, or to what extent can they be affected by the affect of sin and the impact of sinful choices?

The original compass has been displaced, thus: corrupted cognition , verbage, relationships, inventions, appreciations, deductions, concerns, emotions, rationalizing, etc.

When God restores the originally intended compass through the regeneration of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, the residency of the Holy Spirit, and our growing understanding of these through regular engagement of His word we see restored likenesses of God's original creation.

The drag of whatever still exists of the leftover flesh we have from our creation likeness to Adam has to be progressively dominated by the new creation likeness to Jesus. (Romans 6)

For the child of God, all of the Adam likeness is left behind upon exit from this world into a new world to be created by God free of the sin of this world.

What are some of the more tangable characteristics of a restored God likeness?

1. Abounding appreciation towards all things.

Paul says that in all circumstances he learned to abound. He says to the Thessalonians that we are to give thanks in all things.

2. Realational acceptance.

Jesus says pray for your enemy. Paul says bear with one another. Jesus to love your neighbor as yourself. Paul says for husbands to love their wives as their own bodies.

3. Released cognition so that we see more clearly.

Nebucanezer says twice in Daniel 4 that Gods sovereignty extends over all things. Paul says that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Jesus says that no one can take us from his hand. He says that if God cares for such small things as lillies and birds, won't he care for us?

4. Renewed verbage.

Paul says to lay aside all course jestings. He says to encourage one another with the resurrection and return of Jesus. Jesus says they every word we speak will be heard and judged.

5. Renewed concerns.

Jesus says that peace makers are like God their father. James says that pure and undefiled religion is to care for the widow and orphan. The parable of the good Samaritan reminds us that our neighbors benefit is our concern. Paul tells us that having been released from our "gentile" life we are to be like God in Jesus giving our lives in exchange for others

6. Renewed invention and communication.

Paul says that everything we do (an aspect of invention) is to be done to the glory of God, as if we were serving Him. Jesus says that in our going we are to make disciples (communication)

The impact of all of this restored image of God is progressively and in a maturing way felt in:
Our marriages
Our families
Our neighboroods
Our church bodies
Our market places
Our decisions over assets
Our ultimate expectations

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