The Image of God…What?

We normally reserve this space for practical tools or glimpses at the culture. However, every so often, it is helpful to step back and feed our souls on some good marital theology. As you read, reflect on the goodness of a God who would use marriage to reflect His glory.

Genesis 1:27 makes an amazing and potentially confusing statement:

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

We can all admit that there is something about the union of a man and a woman that uniquely reflects God’s image. Ever wonder what that is? Below are four ways that God’s image is uniquely reflected in marriage.

Men and Women are Created Equal – People are equal in value and in dignity, regardless of gender. One gender is not a better or higher creation than another. The union of co-equal people reflects something unique about the Trinity.

Each member of the Trinity, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, are equal in value. One is not “more God” than the others. And all three are joined together into one. This is the core of the saying, “the two shall become one.” When people get married, God joins a separate man and a separate woman essentially into one being that functions as one…a reflection of God’s image.

Men and Women Have Different Roles – Yes, they are equal, but that does not mean they are the same. They are valued the same, but not given the same responsibilities. Gender is a poor basis for judging one’s value. Yet, in marriage, gender is one of the main distinctions for different roles. His wisdom in creating man first, then woman, and assigning them roles accordingly reveals an intentionality to God’s purposes.

God the Father has a different function in the Trinity than God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. As equal persons function in unity, but function differently, they reflect the image of God.

A Man’s Role Reflects the Love and Leadership of Christ – Ephesians 5:25-32 plainly lays out before men their job description in marriage: “Love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” A man who truly fulfills his calling as a husband is directly reflecting the image of God in the love, care and protection of Christ over the church.

Throughout the Bible, the love and care of God for his people is a key theme. From the pillar of fire leading them through the desert to the tender promise of Christ, declaring that He’ll never leave nor forsake his church, faithful love and guidance are characteristic of God. This type of care from God to His people speaks volumes of God’s character. And a man has the distinct duty and privilege of reflecting that part of God to the world.

A Woman’s Role Reflects the Serving and Submission of God – There is a term attached to the creation of woman in Genesis 2…it is the term “helper” or “helpmate.” This is how God designates her role in the life of her husband. The wife is to be the helper of the husband.

We may think that this term is secondary or demeaning. Quite the opposite. This term, “helper” is used many times to refer to God Himself. In as much as the man’s role reflects Christ’s relationship to the church, the woman’s role reflects God’s care for His people. By using the same title given to God Himself, the woman as she fulfills her call to be a helper, reflects the image of God.

Additionally, several places in the Bible reveal that Christ, who was fully God, submitted to the will of the Father. Perhaps most notably, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ’s prayer, “Not my will but yours be done” reveals this amazing truth. (Luke 22:42)

Marvel along with me at the wonder of God. Marvel that we get to be a part of what He does through marriage. And then turn and treat your marriage in accordance with this amazing fact.