In Our Image or in the Image of Christ?

What if your husband or boyfriend held up a picture of a beautiful woman who was not you and said it was you, would you be offended by it?

I would because it would tell me that in order to be loved by my husband I would have to look like or be like that woman.

When people have pictures of a man depicting Christ they are making Christ in the image they wish to see Him and not what He really was, this is offensive. It is based on appearances not character.

Making God in our desired image is why God told us that we will walk by faith and not by sight. We love Christ because of Who He is not because He looks the way we want Him to look.

When we operate in relationships with our own expectations of how people will act when it is not associated with the principles and commands of Christ we are attempting to shape others into our own image. Some people even try to make human rules appear scriptural by snatching small portions of the bible out of their context to make it sound like scripture supports their desired idea.

When we give into the unbiblical expectations of others in fear of losing them then we are enabling superficial and damaging relationships to ruin our walk with Christ and even with others.

It is human nature to fall into "cultural standards" of men that have nothing to do with Christ. Mankind tends to make up their own rules that satisfy the need within themselves to feel superior just as the devil wanted to be superior to God and others, shaping them into his image.

The devil was not satisfied with his own plight because of his rebellion, he wants to take as many people with him as possible and the best way to do this is to appeal to the pride within the heart of man.

1 Peter 5:8 "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

With cultural pressure and human entanglements that threaten contempt against us, it is easy to see how someone weak would feel so alone and so despised that they would give into the duress of those around them.

What weak people do not understand is that giving in causes regression in their walk and a hole in their sole that brings stress and complete emptiness.

When we are strong we have a sense of purpose and total freedom from the bondage of human oppression. This brings us independence to be able to think for ourselves with the mind of Christ.

With Christ we are strong, we are free and we are enthusiastic to follow Him even if we have to do it alone. He gives us the resolve to remain robust despite all the arrows of the devil that come at us.

Here is the proof of what I am saying:

Ephesians 6:10-11: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes".

Hebrews 12:1: "He is strong enough to carry your burdens with you as you run the race with endurance".

Nehemiah 8:10: "And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength".

1 Peter 4:11: "If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ".

Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".