CR News

Christ, the Image of the Invisible God (3)

In the last two issues of the News, we have seen that Jesus Christ is "the image of the invisible God" (Col. 1:15). However, Adam and Eve were in the image of God before the fall and all of God’s regenerated children are also in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27Eph. 4:24Col. 3:10). There are important differences though. Man is said to be created, either in the beginning (Adam and Eve) or in regeneration (believers), "in" or "after" the image of God, but Christ is the image of God. Godly men and women, as mere creatures, bear God’s image in a partial and creaturely way; Christ, as One who is God and man, is the express image of God. Moreover, the elect bear God’s image only through Him who is the image of God who was crucified for our sins and bestows upon us His renewing Spirit.

The heavens "declare the glory of God" day and night to people of every language (Ps. 19:1-3). The creation proclaims God—His eternity, His power, His glory, His truth, His justice (Rom. 1:20, 23, 25, 32). But though the universe declares the glory of God, only Christ is the glory of God, as God manifest in the flesh.

The apostle’s purpose in extolling Christ as "the image of the invisible God" is "that in all things he might have the preeminence" (Col. 1:15, 18). Jesus Christ is pre-eminent not only in creation and in the church but also in revelation (15-18). As the image of God, He makes known to us the Father in a far deeper and richer way than anything or anyone in the creation or even the whole creation put together! Therefore, turning aside to "philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (2:8) is turning from the full blaze of the glory and knowledge of God in Christ to mere sparks and less than sparks. It is turning from Him who is the light of the world to follow darkness. For in Jesus Christ "all fulness" dwells (1:19), and in Him "are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (2:3). Outside Him, nothing is worth knowing.

As the One who is the image of God, Jesus Christ is the chief prophet and teacher of His church. Not only does He teach us about the Father, but also He personally is the revelation of the Father. Listen to and obey Him! Believe Him and follow Him! Search the Scriptures which testify of Him (John 5:39). For as we behold God through His living image, Jesus Christ, we "are changed into the same image from glory to glory" (II Cor. 3:18).Rev. Stewart

Last modified on 27 March 2013
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Additional Info

  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 13
Stewart, Angus

Rev. Angust Stewart (Wife: Mary)

Ordained - 2001

Pastorates: Covenant Protestant Reformed Church of Ballymena, Northern Ireland - 2001

Website: www.cprf.co.uk/

Contact Details

  • Address
    7 Lislunnan Road
  • City
    Ballymena
  • State or Province
    Co.Antrim
  • Zip Code
    BT42 3NR
  • Country
    Ireland
  • Telephone
    (01144) 28 25 891851
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