Figuring out why we exist is tricky, partly because we already “know” why we exist: to glorify God, and to get others to do the same. Nice, simple, incomplete answer. It doesn't tell me what I should do on a daily basis.

Or what all the suffering is about. We are made in the image and likeness of God (Ge 1:26-7). It took years for it to dawn on me: This is our job description. This is what we are to DO.

The problem is: Ideas on what “image” and “likeness” mean abound. And how do they differ?

It only took me 30 years to find out what it means to be an image of God, and how to do it. How can I be like God? It certainly isn't in physical looks. And it isn't in being all powerful or all knowing or any of the other things only God can do. Well, what does God keep telling me to be like, that He is already like, that I can do?

The clue to being an image of God is found in what guided Jesus' life. He always did what God wanted. He lived the way God lived, following the same lifestyle principles God lives by. That's being an image of God.

So what will this look like in my life? The fruit of the Spirit certainly gives me an idea. The 3 commands Christians are under show the way: love God, love your neighbor, love fellow Christians. I need to live the way God does. I need to live by the same lifestyle principles He does. Then I will be His “image”. People will be able to look at me and see what God is like.

Wait a minute. Did I say people? Angels will be able to look at me and see what God is like.

Okay. I sin. I can't do this. But I am supposed to. So the question is...

How? How do I do this? I'm a sinner. Obey rules? The Jews tried that under the Mosaic Law. It does not work. Simply be extremely committed? The Apostle Paul was extremely committed- and murdered Christians (before he became one).

One little term, in one little book, shows the way. Anointing. We are anointed ones. Do you know how big that is? I really really missed it. And it is a huge deal. Jesus Christ. Jesus the Messiah. Jesus the Anointed One. I just thought of this as His name. I didn't think of its meaning.

And the meaning, well, means everything. Jesus is the Anointed One. An anointing is an enabling endowment. Which is?

Blood covenant in action. From Genesis to Revelation, around the world in all ages (often in distorted form) is the idea of being in a union with another person or God in which the very lives are shared. My life is in you, your life is in me. Why is Jesus the Anointed One, the One with an enabling endowment? Because His life is IN the Father's, and the Father's life is IN Jesus. God the Father was implanting God's lifestyle principles in Jesus- Jesus could only do what He saw the Father doing- and Jesus always did them. This made Jesus the Anointed One, and it made Him the total image, the exact representation (He 1:3) of... of God.

And we are anointed ones (1J 2:20, 27). That enabling endowment Jesus got, He now passes on to us. In every circumstance of life, in every joyful event and in the midst of my worst suffering, I am able to respond just like God does. Exactly like God does. Exactly like Jesus did.

I am made in the image of God. That's my job- be an image. I have an enabling endowment- an anointing- so I can do the job. God suffers. So do I. And I am expected to respond to the suffering just like God does. God rejoices. So do I. I am expected to respond to the good times just like God does.

God created me to be His image, to show what God is like in the various circumstances of life.

I was created to suffer. I was created to rejoice. And to react the way God does.

I have wandered into a new theology system. It can be called Anointing Theology. I didn't set out to do this.

To God be the glory.

4-25-2022