Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness. The plural - our image, our likeness - has drawn reflection from every generation of theologians. The Christian tradition reads this as the first echo of the Trinity in Scripture: Father, Son, and Spirit in conversation before the creation of humanity. If that reading is right, then humanity is made in the image of a community - a community of perfect love and mutual self-giving. We are not made in the image of a solitary, self-contained deity. We are made in the image of a God who exists in relationship. Which means we are made for relationship, and isolation is not just painful - it is a contradiction of what we are. This is why community is not optional for the Christian life. It is built into the image we bear.
Praying for you as you continue to dig into the Word.
Amen! This has been my experience as well.
Just saved this to come back to later. So much to unpack here.
I've been thinking about this differently, but your perspective opened my eyes. I love how this passage doesn't shy away from the difficulty of obedience. Following God is costly, but the reward is eternal.
This is so encouraging. Thank you for taking the time to write it out.
Praying for you as you continue to dig into the Word.
This reminds me of what C.S. Lewis wrote about the weight of glory.