Some people think that we don’t have to follow God’s laws that he gave us that we don’t have to listen to His Word; that doctrine doesn’t matter; that all we have to do is bear His image. Those are contradictory statements. What does it actually mean to bear His image?

We bear the image of God by reflecting His character, purpose, and attributes in our lives. Though sin has marred the image of God in humanity, through Christ we can be restored to bear His image as originally intended. Here’s how:

1. Living a Life of Obedience to God’s Will
-=> Bearing God’s image means aligning our thoughts, words, and actions with His commandments and principles.

Jesus says “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

2. Reflecting His Character
~=>God is holy, loving, merciful, and just. We bear His image by cultivating these qualities in our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.” (1 Peter 1:15)

3. Growing in Christlikeness
~=> Through faith in Christ, we are being transformed into His likeness, restoring the image of God that sin has damaged.

“And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” (Colossians 3:10)

4. Loving Others as God Loves
~=> God’s love is a central part of His character, and we bear His image by loving others selflessly.
• Key Verse: “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” (1 John 4:7)

5. Stewardship of Creation
~=> As God’s representatives on earth, we are tasked with caring for the world He created, reflecting His dominion and stewardship.

“And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” (Genesis 2:15)

6. Displaying the Fruit of the Spirit
~=> The Holy Spirit enables us to exhibit the qualities that reflect God’s character—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and more.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

7. Witnessing for God
~=> We bear God’s image by sharing His truth and representing His kingdom to others, leading them to salvation through Christ.
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” (Matthew 5:14)

Through daily surrender to God, the study of His Word, prayer, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we can faithfully bear His image and reflect His glory in our lives.