God had just finished creating the earth and everything there on in five days and they all seemed to compliment each other so well. He looked and said, "It is good." But who would tend to them? Who would keep everything in balance as created? Who would rule over all? Then the Lord desired to make a creature who would, just as He, care and tend to those things created. He wanted to make an exact copy of Himself. But none of those things created looked like His image. Thus He said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..."And man was formed from the dust, and the Spirit (the Power of God) gave him life - making him an exact copy of God. A man created after His image and likeness. And when the Lord saw that man needed a companion, He created the woman from the side of the man. Therefore, the man was made the image of God: and the woman, the image of the man. God's original intention for them at creation was that they should share in every part of His nature, including 'a life without end.' He never desired that man toiled the ground for food, or suffered lack of anything. His main aim was man's enjoyment as he ruled over the earth, deputizing over all created. He desired that man lived a life filled with glory, because he was created in glory and covered in righteousness. But man lost out of glory when he sinned. And without the glory, gained knowledge of his nakedness. Genesis 3:7, Romans 3:23.

 'Like father, like son' is a common statement amongst many people today. When you see a young man or woman with certain physical characteristics similar with those seen in someone else, you tend to trace their lineage, and ask questions to check if they truly are related. It's safe to say that their similar characteristics produced such a tendency. But, even more so does your new way of life after salvation tell of your relationship with the Lord. If you say God is your Father, are you like Him?...is there any resemblance? If He is Holy, are you likewise holy? If He is Love, are you loving? Are you representing Him well on the earth? If no, we question your spiritual perception.If you claim to be of the Lord but don't truly resemble Him, you are not of Him. God's image refers to the seed/nature of God in man. And that nature, as we have been told in 1 John 3:9, cannot sin. Therefore, every sinner is of the devil; and every idol worshipper is as his idol. Psalms 115:1-8; John 8:34-36. Whosoever commits sin is a servant of sin. Whoever is still dominated by sin remains a servant of sin. John 8:43-44. Sinners in the whole wide world are sons and daughters of the devil, until they are born a new by God's Spirit. Whosoever sins, has neither seen Jesus nor known Him.

 Thus, 'The first call the Lord can give any sinner is the Call of Salvation.' Are you bron again? To be as the Lord, you must be born of Him. John 3:5-6. Salvation is not something to be claimed, but something to be experienced. Again, it's not a suggestion, an option or opinion but a MUST for everyone. Our bodies were created in the image of God, therefore we must yield it to Him. There is a need for us to submit our entire being to the Lord,in whose image it was created. We ought to resemble Him in the kind of association we keep; our thoughts, actions, reactions, decisions, marriage and appearance. Anyone who changes his/her body color, shape and size, distorts God's image in him/her; and makes himself/herself a counterfeit. And we know that 'Only those in God's image can enter His glory.' No counterfeit has a part there. Hence, Jesus' question can be posed at us today -"Whose image are you?" Luke 20:24.

Right from creation the Lord's command to all creatures created was "Bring forth fruits according to your kind." You must resemble your Father. But, you cannot resemble a righteous, pure and gracious God when you are a sinner. To be as He is, you must be born of Him. When Jesus Christ lives in you, He will live a holy life through you. Apart from Him, you cannot be righteous, holy or prayerful- John 15:5, 7. Also, you cannot enter into Heaven without Him, for He is the Door to the Kingdom and Way to Eternal Life. Miracles, signs and wonders are no prerequisites for entering God's Kingdom because even the devils do so. Salvation is a must. Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin, because His nature remains in him and he cannot sin.1 John 3:5-9. If we desire to be used of the Lord, we must choose to be as He is. Why call Him 'Lord, Lord' but refuse to do as He commands? Choose which way you desire to follow. Luke 6:46; Isaiah 1:3-6. You can't gain Heaven and the world at the same time. You must lose one for the other. If you desire Heaven, let go of the world and walk on the narrow path. But if is the world that allures you, forget Heaven and walk the high lanes of the world. Heaven is a holy place, and its inhabitants are so. If you are not as it is, you cannot enter therein. Iniquity is the identity of Satan: "...therefore, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." Through God's seal, standard and yardstick for measurements, He knows those who are His. 2Timothy 2:19. 

Holiness is God's ancient standard; and it's not a suggestion or opinion but a requirement. Leviticus19:1-2, Deuteronomy 14:2, 1 Peter 1:14-15, Hebrews 12:2. It is His standard for those who belong to Him, no matter where they may be found. Hebrews 12:14. Immediately our spirit is joined to the Spirit of God we become His own. And that's how we get to live righteous. 1 Corinthians 6:15-19. We don't even have to struggle with sin, because our spirit is lost in God. That's the reason Paul could exclaim, "I am crucified with Christ:nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20. When you are lost in Christ, it's no longer you that lives, but Christ that lives through you. You become dead to sin. A new creature. Romans 6:6-8. Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church, "If any man be in Christ, he now is a new creature/specie - God's copy; old things are passed away. Behold all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17.  

 When God created man on earth, He did so that man be His representative over the earth. To do so, man had to be just as He was. And when man lost the glory, he could not be God's representative. He could not dominate. Christ came to restore that glory lost due to man's disobedience. If we must be used of Him, we must be as He is. We MUST resemble Him. And He commands, "Be ye holy, for I am Holy." Holiness is the nature of God. To REPRESENT Him, we must RESEMBLE Him. 2Corinthians 5:20.

REMAIN BLESSED.