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And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV).
We are made in the image of God.
Let’s understand the image of God by knowing some of the names of God: Jehovah Jireh (God provides), Jehovah Rapha (God heals), Jehovah Shammah (God is present), Jehovah Tsidkenu (God of righteousness), and Jehovah Shalom (God of peace).
There are many more names of God, but let’s focus on provision, healing, presence, righteousness, and peace. These form part of the image of God, and as believers, we are transformed to provision, healing, presence, righteousness, peace, and all the other names (unlimited) of God.
Wow! We now understand Psalm 16:11. . .
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Transformation is the path of joy and discovering unlimited pleasure. These qualities of God and the result of reflecting God’s glory reveal our true destiny.
Sin hinders the reflection. While glory lasts for eternity, sin is pleasure for a moment and then consequences for a lifetime. Reflecting God’s glory is about pleasure — either eternal or temporary.
I choose eternity; how about you?
The reflection process involves worship. We reflect what we adore. N.T. Wright says. . .
Worshipping things other than the one true God and distorting our human behavior, in consequence, is the very essence of “sin”: the Greek word for “sin” in the New Testament means . . . not just “doing wrong things,” but “missing the target.”
Then my buddy (I wish!) N.T. Wright continues about missing the target of worshipping God. . .
Idolatry and sin are, in the last analysis, a failure of responsibility. They are a way of declining the divine summons to reflect God’s image. They constitute an insult, an affront, to the loving, wise Creator himself.
Missing the target of God Himself, we no longer reflect His image of provision, healing, presence, righteousness, and peace, and now we know the roots of our discouragement, fear, and anxiety.
Worship engages everything in our lives, but it’s also contained in a meeting. The Bible consistently teaches corporate worship or God’s people assembling. Yes, it’s a lifestyle, but it’s also an act.
My wife and I go to church for one reason: to worship God with believers. There’s something about worship with others that allows me to reflect God’s glory in a manner that I can’t find anywhere else.
I believe God’s call to worship means reflecting His glory, but also — as God is Three — mirroring the image of His unity by worshipping with others.
Provision, healing, presence, righteousness, and peace!