Renewing the image of God in humanity refers to restoring Godly attributes and qualities in individuals. The need to renew God’s image in humanity is influenced by sin. Since human beings are created in God’s image and likeness, they reflect God’s attributes morally, spiritually, and intellectually. However, once human beings sin, this reflection ceases to portray an image of God in humans (Raw, 2019). This is because sin does not reflect God’s ways of altering the good relationship between God and humans. Therefore, renewing God’s image in humanity aims to restore this relationship without aspects of sin. Individuals strive to align themselves with divine qualities and virtues in renewing God’s image.
One way the renewal of God’s image in humanity can occur is by human beings practicing love and compassion. It involves being kind and empathic to others always. This is one of the desirable attributes that reflects the image of God in human beings, as he always showed love and compassion to others (Ware, 2021). Therefore, when humans love others and show compassion through interactions, this reflects God’s image.
Another way God’s image can be renewed in humanity is through personal and spiritual transformation to cultivate a meaningful relationship with God. The renewal of the image of God starts with an individual developing willingness to create a personal relationship with God and undergo spiritual growth (Raw, 2019). Thus, people can reflect on their lives through meditation and praying to understand their purpose. Typically, prayer is one of the effective practices to engage with God as a person evaluates their purpose in reflecting God’s image. As a result, they gain a deeper connection with God that promotes an understanding of God’s desire and intentions, leading to a personal and spiritual transformation to fulfill God’s will.
Moral and ethical living is another way God’s image is renewed in humanity. Leading a moral and ethical life reflects God’s image within an individual (Ware, 2021). Therefore, once individuals commit to upholding their moral values and using ethical principles to guide living, they renew their close relationship with God. Moral and ethical living can be characterized by human beings treating others with dignity and respect, practicing honesty and integrity, and promoting justice and fairness.
Also, God’s image can be renewed in humanity by serving others through community and fellowship. These may involve acts of kindness, such as selflessly helping others and participating in worship and fellowship groups within a community (Raw, 2019). Individuals also gain support, encouragement, and accountability in the journey of renewing the image of God and influencing others to look forward to renewal in God’s image in them.
Renewing God’s image in humanity has several implications for education and leadership. In leadership, leaders who acknowledge and value the image of God within themselves and others easily develop a culture of respect, empathy, and inclusivity within their organizations. This is because human beings who have a renewal of God’s image prioritize their spiritual growth and seek to align their practices with the values and teachings of Christ (Ware, 2021). They also prioritize ethical decision-making, as it is part of their ethical and moral living aspect that reflects God’s image. Also, leaders who seek renewal of God’s image encourage their followers’ personal and spiritual development by creating environments that support spiritual growth.
In education, educators can play a vital role in facilitating the renewal of the image of God in their students. Renewal of God’s image in humanity cultivates moral and spiritual growth, encouraging others to reflect on their identity, purpose, and values (Ware, 2021). Also, they create an environment that values empathy and critical thinking to help students explore their sense of purpose, develop moral reasoning, and create a compassionate and just society.
References
Raw, B. (2019). Piers and the Image of God in Man. In Piers Plowman (pp. 143-179). Routledge.
Ware, K. (2021). “In the image and likeness”: The uniqueness of the human person. In Theological anthropology, 500 years after Martin Luther (pp. 48-64). Brill. https://brill.com/display/book/9789004461253/BP000014.xml
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