Deeper Reflection
Relational. Finally, let’s consider the relational aspect of the Imago Dei. As the great 20th century theologian Karl Barth said, the Imago Dei means that God can relate personally with us, speak to us and make covenants with us.³⁴ In today’s church, we are used to the idea of relating intimately with God. We sing about God as our Father and Friend, and rightly so! But do we also recognise how surprising and humbling it is for us, finite and fallen creatures, to be granted such privileged access to God? What is man, that God would grant us His covenantal faithfulness?Our reflection on the Imago Dei must conclude with Christ. Christ is the ultimate expression of God’s covenantal faithfulness and the true image of the invisible God (v.15)! When we see Christ, we see what our heavenly Father is like (Jn 14:9). We, on the other hand, reflect God very poorly. Due our sinful nature, the image of God in us is marred. Not eliminated altogether, but distorted, like a reflection in a broken mirror. But in Christ, the spotless Lamb of God, the image of God is completely unspoiled.Thanks be to God, through Christ we can be reconciled to the Father! Through Christ we can enter into a living relationship with God, and pass from death into life! Through the sanctifying work of God’s Spirit, we can be transformed more and more into the likeness of Christ (2 Cor 3:18)! The distorted image of God in us can now be restored, for by His stripes we are healed (Isa 53:5). This is the glorious Gospel of God!

³⁴ Barth, K. Church Dogmatics, III. 1.183-87