Counsel #4 — God’s Image Restored

Picture: Counsel #4 — God’s Image RestoredCI 61.1

Today’s culture argues in support of one’s inner self deciding gender as opposed to the witness of the body. But the focus of Scripture is the redemption theme — renewing humanity in the image of God. This means that the sacredness of the body as God created it remains regardless of changing cultural values.CI 61.2

In the two biological genders — male and female — we reflect the image of God who created humanity as relational human beings in two distinct human sexes. Jesus confirms that view in His incarnational statements of Matthew 19:4 and Mark 10:6.CI 61.3

Because the great hope of Christians is redemption, we should press on toward the goal of restoration to the image of God, despite the effects of fallenness and sin.^{[60]https://youtu.be/0GAW3U-culM?si=EGzqpgSrGYstNCLM}CI 61.4

“In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created.” Genesis 5:1, 2 NKJVCI 61.5

“The central theme of the Bible, the theme about which every other clusters, is the redemption plan, the restoration in the human soul of the image of God.” Ellen White in True Education, p. 75

CI 61.6

Reflect: Are there things in your life that you cherish more than Jesus restoring His perfect image in you?CI 61.7