THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
by Given O. Blakely
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GOD HAS SPOKEN THROUGH HIS SON, #3
                          God's Express Image
     Our text does not stop here. It continues to emphasize the indispensability of Jesus to the work of
God! In His humbled state--that of the Man--Jesus is still "the express Image  of God."  The NRSV
translates this, "the exact imprint of God's very being," while the NIV reads, "the exact representation of
His being." 
    Paul refers to Jesus being "in the form of God" (Phil 2:6), and John calls Him "the Word" which was
"in the beginning," was "with God," and "was God" (John 1:1). However, both texts refer to Jesus in the
pre-incarnate state. Our text calls Him a glorified Man! Prior to His incarnation, the Word could not be
studied by men. He was beyond their reach, outside of the sphere of human experience. In substance,
there was no difference between the Word and God; they had the same "form," or spiritual constitution.
Both were "spirit," and, consequently, beyond the realm of human analysis.
     Prior to Jesus, men could only study the RESULT of God's work. They could, for example, behold
His thumb print in creation. Something of "His eternal power and divine nature" could be seen in what
He had created (Rom 1:20, NRSV). The representation,  however was fragmentary, crude, and nothing to
be compared with the fulness of the glory of God! Nevertheless, this is not the case with Jesus. He is not
a partial revelation of God, or an introduction to Him with Whom we have to do! He is "the very image
of his substance" (ASV), exact in every detail. In creation, the limitation was in the revelation itself. In
the Law, the same limitation existed. In Christ, however, the limitation is in our vision, not in the
revelation!
     It is staggering to consider that the "fulness of God" could dwell corporately in "the Man Christ
Jesus." Yet, this is the revealed truth. Hear the proclamation, and stand in wonder. "For God was pleased
to have all His fullness dwell in Him" (Col 1:19, NIV).  "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives
in
bodily form" (Col 2:9, NIV). 
     This Divine arrangement makes it possible for us to receive of this "fulness"--for the Divine nature to
dwell within us! "And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace" (John 1:16). The point of
the "fulness" of God dwelling in Christ is not the mere increase of information about God--although that
certainly takes place. The conferment of the Divine Nature upon redeemed humanity is the point! Now
men can "participate in the Divine Nature" (2 Pet 1:4). This simply could not take place before. Men
cannot be brought into fellowship with God through partial means! The Law, not being "the fulness of
God," could not bring men into vital union with God. Holy men like Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Job, Moses,
Samuel, and Elijah could not make men holy. They did not have the capacity to confer the Divine Nature
upon men, because they did not possess the fulness of God.
     Nevertheless, that is not the case with Jesus! Because He is the "express Image of God," we can be
conformed to His image (Rom 8:29). He can pour Himself into His people without affecting His own
nature. This is why the church is called, "the fullness of him who fills everything in every way" (Eph
1:23, NIV). It is why every believer can himself can attain "to the whole measure of the fullness of
Christ" (Eph 4:13, NIV). 
     The Holy Spirit is not giving us a philosophical view of Jesus. He is showing the relevancy of Christ
to the salvation of God! Men may imagine themselves capable of measuring up the Divine expectations
through human effort alone. That is only a vain imagination, to be cast down with our spiritual weaponry
(2 Cor 10:3-5). As indispensable as the Scriptures are, they are empty and powerless without Jesus
Christ! They are not the "express image of God"--Jesus is! The "fulness of God" does not dwell bodily in
them--it does in Jesus! The "brightness of the glory of God" is not contained in Scripture, but in Jesus!
     Let no one suppose for one moment that this is speaking derogatorily of Scripture. We will not allow
such a foolish thought to dominate our thinking! Because the "fulness of God" is found in Jesus--because
the "brightness of the glory of God" is in Him--because He, and He alone, is the "express Image of God,"
it is written: "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life.
These are the Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me to have life" (John 5:39-40,
NIV). We are never justified in falling into Bibliolatry, or the worship of the Bible. It is the appointed
means through which the Savior works--but the Savior is the real point! I fear many with whom I have
walked have, like the studious Jews of old, actually allowed their approach to the Bible obscure the
"brightness of the glory of God."
(More on this subject tomorrow)
In joyful expectation of glory
Given O. Blakely