I get messages like this occasionally (and by ‘occasionally’ I mean every 30 seconds):
“John, you are so judgmental! That person you’re criticizing was made in the image of God. And Jesus loves her dearly!”
I’ve written a lot of stuff. I’ve spoken a lot of words. If you were to consider my ENTIRE library of published material you would not find a single instance of me suggesting that ANY person ANYWHERE is not made in the image of God. I’m keenly aware that people bear God’s likeness. That’s the reason I communicate with people; not insects, animals, or plants.
I’m never judgmental of insects because bugs don’t bear God’s likeness. The same is true of plants. When weeds pop up in the yard, I just kill them. I don’t write essays telling weeds to “do better.” Weeds just do what weeds do.
You aren’t a weed. I’m holding you to a higher standard BECAUSE you are made in the image of God.
I’ve noticed that you only talk about your resemblance to God when you’re misbehaving. When I talk about sexual immorality or abortion or voting for Democrats, you start squawking about how much Jesus loves you and how God made you in His image. Here’s why you should stop doing that starting today.
FIRST: It is unnecessary to remind me that Jesus loves you. Jesus’ love was never in doubt. I have total confidence in the love of God. But God’s love is NOT unconditional. I know you think God will continue to love you no matter what you do and you’re wrong about that. (Look up John 14:21 if you don’t believe me.) Jesus love for you is solid. What is uncertain is your love for Jesus.
SECOND: Bearing God’s image does not make you perfect. That’s so obvious it shouldn’t even need to be stated but I said it anyway because I’m a compassionate teacher and trustworthy friend.
Image bearers break traffic laws.
Image bearers are abusive.
Image bearers commit murder.
Image bearers lie, cheat, steal, and enrich themselves by harming others.
Knowing you’re made in the image of God should cause you to strive toward righteousness. Your status as God’s image bearer does not make you immune to wickedness. Image bearers are supposed to behave differently than weeds. You’re supposed to be better than an insect.
God expects his image bearers to be holy because He is holy. So be holy.
“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” John 14:21
2 Responses
“But God’s love is NOT unconditional. I know you think God will continue to love you no matter what you do and you’re wrong about that.”
By that estimation, every parent who’s had a child be displeasing, or even reject him or her altogether should no longer love that child. Do you really believe that’s an accurate depiction of God? Do you think Lucifer would’ve been created or mankind, for that matter, if God didn’t love His creation despite our sin? How would you interpret the following scripture?
“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
Romans 5:8 (NLT)
My interpretation is, Christ died for me before I ever loved or accepted Him. If that isn’t unconditional love I don’t know what is…
I like your choice of wording, God expects His image bearers to be holy because He is holy. Not happy because He is holy, but holy because He is holy. We set our bar too low.