Reflecting the Wrong Image

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Scripture

Professing to be wise, they became fools,
(Romans 1:22 NASB)
and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
(Romans 1:23 NASB)
Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.
(Romans 1:24 NASB)
For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
(Romans 1:25 NASB)

Observation

Paul is describing the fall of humanity. Humanity which was created to be a reflection of the Image! However, once humanity turned their backs on God, they could no longer reflect Him because they were no longer facing Him. So often in the Old Testament we are called to "seek the face of God." Why is that? so that we will be drawn toward the Image. Sadly, Paul says that we have turned our backs on Him and now, instead of reflecting His image, we are reflecting the world around us. Instead of being in the image of an incorruptible God, we are reflecting the images of corruptible humanity and even the behaviors of the creatures of this earth. The result is that humanity has chosen to worship and serve the creatures rather than the very Creator Himself. We are reflecting ourselves!

Application

This may have been Paul's indictment against the Romans but what about us today? We are still humanity and we were created with the intent of reflecting God to the world. We are to be His image bearers. Sadly, we have turned our backs on Him. Even followers of Jesus Christ are somehow following Him at a distance -- a long distance and therefore the reflection of the Image is so small that it is barely visible. The ugliness of this world is being reflected in those who profess to follow Christ. We see behaviors that the world would encourage because we have traded the Image for the image of the world. We are enticed by the things of this world. We want to look like the people of this world. We want to have the things the world has to offer. And the worst is that in relationships we have given up the things of God to behave in creaturely like fashion. Even adopting animal-like behaviors in some instances. Isn't that scary?

Are we reflecting the wrong image? It takes courage to admit that we have been facing the wrong direction. However, if we desire to turn around and face Him and seek His face, He will be there to help us. His grace will draw us into His presence and we may again be restored to be His image bearers.

What are you reflecting today?

Prayer

Lord, may I seek You and Your face this day! Amen.

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