Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
Restoring the Image of God in Humanity

Restoring the Image of God in Humanity

Human beings were created in the image of God:

God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:26, 27 NIV84).

We were created in the likeness of the infinite Creator God of love, who is a living, intelligent being with individuality and the ability to reason, discern, decide, and act; and God created us with a power modeled after one of His: the power to think and act, to reason, comprehend, and choose. It is this power that gives us the foundation to love, for love operates only in at atmosphere of freedom. Robots cannot love, computers cannot love, puppets cannot love; without our own individuality, without our own ability to think independently and choose freely, we cannot love. God created us in His image as free-thinking beings with the ability to choose for or against Him, to choose for or against love.

And God will not use His power to actively destroy His image in us—even if people sincerely pray to Him and ask Him to do so. While you may have never heard someone pray, “Lord, please destroy your image in me,” you have likely heard other prayers that, if God were to grant what was asked of Him, would result in the image of God being destroyed in that person. Can you think of any?

Have you ever heard anyone pray something like this: “Father, You take control. I surrender my mind to You. I don’t want to decide any more, Father; I just keep messing up. So, I give over the driver’s seat of my life to You for You to be in control of what I do. You tell me the answer, You decide for me, and I will do it, no questions asked. I don’t want to do it wrong, so You take control”?

If God were to grant this request, what would happen to the person? What would happen to the image of God in them? They would become robots, puppets, programmed beings in which God chooses for them; thus, their individuality would be erased and their capacity to love destroyed. God will never do this!

 

What It Means to Surrender

When we surrender ourselves to God, it is never for Him to control our power of choice; that power is a gift from God that we are to exercise.

No, when we surrender to God, we surrender our hearts, motives, desires, and plans to Him for purifying, cleansing, and renewal in righteousness. We are to surrender our sin-sickness for healing, our guilt for removing, and our shame for cleansing; we are to open ourselves up for the rejuvenating power of the Holy Spirit. And when the Spirit enters our hearts and minds, He enlightens with truth, inspires with love, convicts of what is wrong, and impresses with better motives—but He never chooses for us. The Spirit always leaves us free to say yes or no. And when the Spirit has His way, when we say yes to all that God will do in us, we develop certain traits of character that the Bible calls fruits. The last fruit listed, as the Holy Spirit restores God’s image in us, is “self-control”—not God control but “self-control” (Galatians 5:22 NIV84). God restores within us the ability to think clearly, discern wisely, and act righteously.

The Bible tells us that the mature are those who have developed by practice the ability to discern the right from the wrong (Hebrews 5:14). God wants us to be mature—to grow, to understand, to comprehend, to do what is right because it is right, because we understand and agree with Him and choose it not merely because He has said to do it but because we actually prefer it and freely want it.

However, God is not the only supernatural being who is working to have his image reproduced in humanity.

 

In the Image of Sin

Satan is also working to reproduce his image within us, and this is the real focus and ultimate outcome of the war between Christ and Satan—who we become like. The war between Christ and Satan is a war for hearts and minds. These two beings—Christ and Satan—stand at the head of two divergent systems, two antagonistic kingdoms, two opposing governments that operate in diametrically opposite ways. Every intelligent being in the universe decides on whose side they will be by the methods, principles, and laws they prefer and choose to practice in their life.

It is by our choices in whom we trust and whose methods we choose to employ in how we live and treat others that determines whose kingdom we become members of.

Do we prefer:

  • Truth or deception?
  • Love or fear and selfishness?
  • Freedom or coercion, force, and control?
  • Design law or imposed law?

It is a law—the law of worship—that by beholding we are changed. If we worship a god that is like Satan in character, one who makes up rules and uses threats, intimidation, and inflicted punishments to coerce and control and calls it justice, then we become like that god and will use those methods upon others.

But if we worship Jesus, who would not use power to punish His crucifiers but left His creatures free to reject and kill Him, then we, like Jesus, present the truth in love and leave others free; we live out the principles of God, cooperating with the Holy Spirit to have His law written into our hearts.

We are either being washed, purified, and prepared by Jesus Christ to be a temple for the indwelling of God via His Spirit, or we are being corrupted and turned into what the Bible calls a synagogue of Satan (Revelation 2:9).

Every intelligent being, angels and humans, are created to be living temples in which God dwells by His Spirit. It is Satan’s goal to displace God from the throne of our hearts and minds and to establish himself as the ruler of our being. He does this by getting us to choose his methods, principles, and laws over God’s, even while we claim to be worshiping God or Jesus. Satan does this by getting us to have faith in the wrong god, the wrong methods, and the wrong law (imposed vs. design) and to prefer the god who is like a dictator.

Remember, the Jews in Christ’s day claimed both Abraham and God as fathers but were told directly by Jesus that they belonged to their father the devil (John 8:44). Yet they were certain that they were obeying Scripture and that it was Jesus who was teaching heresy. They were not hostile toward Jesus because they didn’t believe in God and Jesus did; they were hostile toward Jesus because He presented a different God to the one they believed in.

Calling oneself a Christian, a follower of the Creator God, even a follower of Jesus, does not establish one as a temple of God—a person who is restored to the image of God. What does? Worshiping God in truth, as Jesus revealed Him to be in character, principle, and method, and thereby surrendering in trust to the true God of love and having His living law of love, the operating system upon which we live, breathe, and function, restored into the heart. Meaning, we love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and our neighbors as ourselves. We live out God’s law—we live the truth in love while leaving others free to decide for themselves.

 

How to Become His Temple

We don’t live victoriously in our own strength. The strength is God’s; the choice is ours! It is our choice to trust God, to receive His strength, and to act in harmony with His will. God never chooses for us, but we can never accomplish any victory over sin by our own ingenuity, wisdom, or power.

All the saving power comes from God! The truth that displaces the lies and wins us to trust comes from God. The love that drives out fear comes from God. But the choice to respond to the truth and love of God is ours.

When we make the choice to trust God and open our hearts to Him, He enters the sanctuary of our souls with His healing and cleansing presence and removes the guilt, takes away the shame, and purges the corruption. He imbues us with new motives and new desires—new longings for purity, goodness, love, kindness, and honesty. As we identify with these new motives and choose to apply them to our daily activities, decisions, and practices, we receive power to carry out those choices. But we don’t receive the power to overcome until we make the choice to overcome. The power is God’s; the choice is ours.

When we have moments of human weakness and don’t do what our renewed heart desires but, instead, allow an old habit to control, or allow a situation to irritate us into an impulsive act that we regret—like Moses striking the rock—we are not cast off by God. We grieve in our hearts and go humbly to God, regretting our weakness and longing for His strength to never let Him down again. And we receive God’s forgiveness, grace, acceptance, love, and reassurance that He is not done with us yet, and we arise stronger in our connection with God, equipped and empowered to succeed.

We are created in the image of the infinite God of love, and it is God’s plan, God’s wish, God’s desire, God’s intention to restore His image within you and me. All that is necessary for that to happen is for us to choose to trust Him and follow where He directs.

 

 

Email me the blog whenever a new one is published.

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

Terry U., Tacoma, WA, USA

 

Testimony 21

I am absolutly on fire with the message at Come and Reason! I can’t get enough! I’ve read your book, blog, and articles. I’ve listened to your Bible study podcasts, your radio show, and your series – all excellent! It wasn’t until the past couple of years that I have I like I’m becoming “healthy,” with more to share with others than just beasts and commandments! I used to be a Bible worker and preached when the pastors were gone until I had had enough. I didnt realize at the time what the problem was, but i know now… the message wasn’t properly focused. Now my flame is rekindled. All of your little examples are so perfect in explaining something “complicated” and making it easily understood! Now I’m trying to shape it into a life changing evangelistic series! Thank you!

M.T., USA

 

Testimony 68

Your message of design law vs imperial law is so uplifting and makes so much sense- it is a game changer for me. The fact that Jesus’s death is not a big payment by an angry God is , quite frankly, a relief.

Laura G., London, Ontario, Canada

 

Testimony 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia

 

Testimony 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA

 

Testimony 30

God lead me to your book “The God-Shaped Brain” while I was searching for another book about the brain and then to your interview about your book on HeartWise Ministries [where] I found out about [Come And Reason Ministries]. I’m now devouring the webcasts of your Bible studies. I have been so greatly blessed and I thank God so much for your courage to speak the Truth in love no matter what. Listening to you contrast the two opposing systems (laws) and digging deep to unearth the hidden treasures in the Bible makes me so incredibly happy and I feel very blessed to be part of your Bible Study Group although I live far away. I am just so excited that there is a group of people that is spreading the Truth about the character of God and it saddens me how few realize what our Father in Heaven is really like.

Kessy B., Australia

 

Testimony 22

I have found your Bible study class lectures to be very inspiring and useful as I prepare to teach class every other week. I subscribe to the podcast and download your notes on the weeks I teach. The audio and notes are such a great help in preparing. My own understanding of God’s character has grown as I teach the class. Commendations on the thought-provoking and well-prepared material Come and Reason provides. Personally, I get excited by the tie you make between the spiritual and mental/physical domains.

A.A. Corrales, NM, USA

 

Testimony 26

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 73

I have been truly blessed by your blogs and other resources. They have helped me to see things in a much brighter light and to reason things out better. Thank you so much for your ministry. Whenever I have the opportunity I pass along your material to my friends.

R. Noseworthy, Newfoundland, Canada

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

Testimony 12

I have been really blessed reading your response to the various questions on your site.

K.C., OH, USA

 

Testimony 18

The Healing the Mind DVD set tarted me on a journey that has changed my relationship with our loving God more significantly than any other study, and brought me to your book and Bible study podcasts, which I now listen to daily, thanks to the availability of archived content on your site and on iTunes.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA