S U M M A R Y IN HIS IMAGE BY JEN WILKIN Key Insights Best Quotes Infographics Study Questions B O O K B R I E F B Y A c c e l e r a t e B o o k s. c o m
O V E R V I E W crosses their mind. On the other hand, some Christians focus so much on morality that they can add to what God says, thus calling for a "reflection" of God's character that is really just a reflection of their own personal preferences. The solution for both sides is found in the same source: God. By studying God's attributes as revealed in Scripture and seen in the flesh in Christ, Christians can properly understand the ways in which God calls them to reflect his holy character. In this book, Jen Wilkin points readers to a God they can know and a God who calls his people to "image" him in their daily lives. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Author: Jen Wilkin Publisher: Crossway Date: May 31, 2018 Pages: 176 OVERVIEW There is always the tendency in Christianity to move from one extreme to the other. On one hand, some may spend very little time thinking about God's character displayed in his communicable attributes and how they, as Christians, are called to reflect that character. "Grace-driven effort" is not an idea that ever Jen Wilkin is a speaker, writer, and teacher of women's Bible studies. During her seventeen years of teaching, she has organized and led studies for women in home, church, and parachurch contexts. Jen and her family are members of the Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas. She has authored Women of the Word, None Like Him, and the following Bible studies: 1 Peter, Sermon on the Mount, God of Creation. Authorized use for Registered Members Only 1
M A I N I D E A MAIN IDEA "If you've ever said, I just want to know God's will for my life,' this book is for you." God's will is not just a narrow view individual life, often sought by Christians in their decision making. Often, people simply want to know the answers to question such as: "Should I buy this car or that one?" or "Should I take this new job or remain at my current one?" Instead of asking all of these "what should I do?" questions, we should be asking a better question. That question we must first ask is: "Who should I be?" When we ask this question first, we are consequently driven to know more about who God is, how he has related to us in Christ, and how we should live as his people. Studying God's attributes should never be simply an academic exercise, but should change how we relate to him and others. Studying God's communicable attributes drives us to properly reflect his image in our lives as we see Christ as the perfect example of the image of God. guides believers down the "narrow path" of Christlikeness as they image him through the power of the Holy Spirit. Authorized use for Registered Members Only 2
K E Y I N S I G H T S KEY INSIGHT #1 Who God Is A proper understanding of God is necessary for properly reflecting his character. who God is. God is the perfect source from which all his attributes flow. For us to be holy, loving, good, just, merciful, gracious, faithful, patient, truthful or wise we must first see these attributes coming from our perfect God. If we are to reflect his character then our study must begin with him and not our own actions. In her first book None Like Him, Wilkin explored the incommunicable attributes of God. These are the attributes that theologians have typically categorized as ones that God does not share with his creation. The overarching focus of that book was how unique and utterly different God is from mankind, and why that is a good thing. In His Image turns the focus to the communicable attributes of God. These are the attributes that God shares with man. Granted, in one sense he is still utterly different than man. For example, divine love is far greater than any human expression of love can ever be. Yet, unlike his incommunicable attributes, man is still able to love like God, albeit an imperfect reflection of his love. Any discussion of "who should I be?" as it relates to Christians being re-imaged by God must begin with a proper understanding of Authorized use for Registered Members Only 3
K E Y I N S I G H T S INSIGHTGRAPHIC #1 Authorized use for Registered Members Only 4
K E Y I N S I G H T S KEY INSIGHT #2 The Perfect Example Christ is the only perfect one through whom God's attributes are on full display. If believers are "being conformed to the image of his Son", it follows that we must study the Son's life if we ever expect to reflect God's character well (Rom. 8:29). A proper understanding of God is necessary for properly reflecting his character. Scripture tells us that Christ is the "exact imprint" of God's nature (Heb. 1:3). In Christ, we are able to see a physical manifestation of what God is like. For example, if we want to know what God's patience looks like, we should observe Jesus' time with his disciples during his earthly ministry. Take note of how patient he is through their lack of understanding, doubting, and even denying. When asked to see the Father, Jesus' response was "whoever has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9). The same is true for Christians today; to see the attributes of God on display we can look to Christ. As God "re-images" us, it is essential that we consistently "look to the only human who never sinned." Authorized use for Registered Members Only 5
K E Y I N S I G H T S INSIGHTGRAPHIC #2 Authorized use for Registered Members Only 6
K E Y I N S I G H T S KEY INSIGHT #3 How Should We Live A proper understanding of God's character, perfectly displayed in Christ, will inevitably change the lives of Christians. Regardless, the application of these attributes is two-fold in structure: 1) How does knowing this truth about God change the way I relate to him? and 2) How does knowing this truth about God change the way I relate to those around me? After spending adequate time studying God's attributes and specifically they are displayed in Christ, we must now give careful thought to how we can show these attributes in our everyday lives. Each of the 10 communicable attributes explored in this book must not be read mere as an academic assignment, but must be studied with this burning question in mind: How will I reflect this character of God today? As our thinking is continually be directed to how we should flesh out these attributes in, it is important to note that the application of this will differ from saint to saint. Additionally, the application may differ depending on the attribute being discussed. Authorized use for Registered Members Only 7
K E Y I N S I G H T S INSIGHTGRAPHIC #3 Authorized use for Registered Members Only 8
C H A P T E R S U M M A R I E S CHAPTER 1: GOD MOST HOLY God's holiness means that he is completely set apart and utterly different than any other created thing. Scripture emphasizes that God is a holy God and it would benefit his church greatly if we sought to more clearly understand and worship God as Holy. Is the holiness of God an attribute that gets proper attention in your life? Christians should have a desire to grow in holiness. How does this desire impact your life practically? CHAPTER 2: GOD MOST LOVING Even though the Bible repeats God s holiness, our churches may avoid doing so. If the utter purity of God makes the angels avert their gaze, preaching holiness may not be a crowd pleaser. Better to go with an emphasis on love so everyone feels welcome, or better to go with an emphasis on justice so everyone behaves." (p. 24) Holiness permeates the entire Christian calling. It lies at the very center of the gospel. We are not merely saved from depravity; we are saved to holiness. Conversion entails consecration. (p. 25) Every day the world places before us a definition of love that is found wanting in comparison to the picture of love commanded in Scripture. God's love comes to the unworthy, to those that the world would deem unlovable. God doesn't measure the worth of the person before loving them, he loves them because it is in his character to do so. We should extend love to others in a selfless manner, not based on whether we feel that love will be reciprocated. Authorized use for Registered Members Only 9
C H A P T E R S U M M A R I E S "With earthly love, the greater the need love is asked to meet, the more cautious we are to give it because the stakes for rejection are high. But because agape is not bound by need, it can be given freely and lavishly, without any fear that it might be more wisely spent elsewhere." (p. 35) "Rightly perceiving ourselves to be the unworthy recipients of the agape of God, we become willing to love our neighbor in spite of himself because God first loved us in spite of ourselves. We do not wait to feel love; rather, we will ourselves to act in love whether we feel it or not. Agape transcends our feelings." (p. 38) CHAPTER 3: GOD MOST GOOD God's goodness is constant and never changing. "His goodness undergoes no increase or decline there is no better version of him to come, no progress from good to better, to best for him." God's goodness was on full display in Christ "when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us. (Titus 3:4-5). Any other goodness pales in comparison to the goodness of God. Are there certain types of people that you find it difficult to love? A particular person, perhaps? How should God extending love to the unloveable re-shape your thinking about those who are difficult to love? "God sees that the light is good, not as an act of recognition, but as a reflection of his own goodness, originating in him and issuing from him. God is the source of all good and is himself wholly good." (p. 46) "Christ radiated perfect goodness in perfect obedience to the Father for the sake of the lost. Just as Christ radiates the goodness of God, so now should we. And according to him, that goodness should be evident in our lives." (p. 50) Authorized use for Registered Members Only 10
C H A P T E R S U M M A R I E S How often do you meditate on the goodness and lovingkindness of our God? Has the truth of God goodness grown dull to you? Are there certain environments (i.e. work, school, time spent with non-believing friends) where you find it difficult to do good? CHAPTER 4: GOD MOST JUST The justice of God is an attribute that has fallen out of favor in much of contemporary Christianity. Scripture and not feelings should define God's justice. Scripture shows his just wrath was poured out on Christ at the cross for the sins of his people and his wrath will be poured out on those who have rejected Christ. "The Scriptures find the justice of God a virtue to be extolled, not a blemish to be concealed. And if we give ourselves a moment to remember that we have been justified before the just Judge, we, too, can celebrate the good government and just law of our God." (p. 58) "There is no way to reach genuine repentance without striving to grasp the justice of God's wrath. As long as I view his wrath as excessive or cruel, I labor under a limited understanding of the danger and depravity of sin. And I labor under a limited understanding of Calvary." (p. 65) "The immediate effect of apprehending Authorized use for Registered Members Only 11
C H A P T E R S U M M A R I E S God's justice will be an inward-facing desire to obey. The long-term effect will be an outward-facing desire to do justice for others." (p. 68) Is the justice of God an attribute that you have glossed over because you view it as "a blemish to be concealed?" In what ways can you reflect God's justice to the community that you live in? "Withholding mercy from others reveals that we do not recognize what we ourselves have received." (p. 80) "When Jesus extends mercy in the Gospels, he always does so with an implicit or explicit "Go and sin no more." When our offender persists in sinning against us, we are wise to put boundaries in place. Doing so is itself an act of mercy toward the offender. By limiting his opportunity to sin against us, we spare him further guilt before God. Mercy never requires submission to abuse, whether spiritual, verbal, emotional, or physical." (p. 81) CHAPTER 5: GOD MOST MERCIFUL Receiving God's mercy is often defined as Christians not getting what we deserve. This is connected to the previous chapter on justice. In the chapter on justice, we are reminded that God should have poured out his wrath on us, but in his mercy he did not give us what we deserve Instead, he placed the punishment on Christ. Is it sometimes difficult to extend mercy to others? When and why? Doesn't weakness here show Christians of our great need to continue to return to the truths of the gospel? Authorized use for Registered Members Only 12
C H A P T E R S U M M A R I E S CHAPTER 6: GOD MOST GRACIOUS God's grace is perhaps the most well-known and popular attribute of God, and rightly so. We only understand salvation when we understand that God's grace toward us is unmerited, unearned, and undeserved. God's grace not only saves his people but also guides them into obedience. Is God's grace still just as amazing to you as it was the moment that he saved you? Or do you sometimes feel that you have "moved on" from grace? If you find your love for God growing dull meditate on the reality of God's grace being extended to you when you were "dead in your trespasses and sins." Initially, grace is unasked for and undesired. God in his sovereignty extends grace to us before we can even contemplate its possibility or its worth. Eternally, grace is unearned and undeserved. (p. 87) If grace is seen only as a free gift to cover our sins and not also as a means to growing in holiness, we will grow lax in our obedience. (p. 91) With regard to our justification, grace invites us to relax from our striving to earn what is a free gift. With regard to our sanctification, grace instructs us to reject the error of lawless people, that we may grow in grace. (p. 92) Authorized use for Registered Members Only 13
C H A P T E R S U M M A R I E S CHAPTER 7: GOD MOST FAITHFUL In a world where promises are broken, leading to disappointment and bitterness, it is crucial that Christians spend time studying and meditating on the faithfulness of our God. God never breaks his promises. God is faithful to us because he is eternal and unchanging in all of his ways. Is God s faithfulness an attribute that you find easy to accept? When you sin, do you ever feel that he will give up on you? When trials and difficulties come will you be grounded in the truth of God s faithfulness and continue to trust in him? CHAPTER 8: GOD MOST PATIENT The Bible is our great Ebenezer, a memorial stone to the faithfulness of God, carefully recorded and preserved for his children. When we grow forgetful of God, or when we question whether God has forgotten us, we can turn there to gaze on his steadfast love to all generations. (p. 100) When we meet trials, we do not rejoice in the suffering they bring but in the faithfulness of God to use them to shape us, that we might become like Christ. God is faithful in the midst of trial, and faithful in the aftermath of trial to work all things for our good. (p. 102) God is patient. He is slow to anger. He patiently leads his children and continues to forgive us of our sins as we confess them to him. Christ imaged God's patience in his earthly ministry as he interacted with his disciples and other people that he encountered. God is patient with his children with regard to their sin. He is patient to bear with us as we progress along the path of sanctification, forgiving our sins again and again. He is patient to work out our Authorized use for Registered Members Only 14
C H A P T E R S U M M A R I E S deliverance in good time. He is patient to await a harvest, and patient to bring in the sheaves in the fullness of time. (p. 111) Christ is our example of patience with sinners, patience in circumstances, and patience in suffering. He shows us what perfect human patience looks like. (p. 117) List the areas in your life where patience is lacking? Anger is often the result of a self-focused mind. When things don t go our way we get angry quickly. How can understanding the patience of God toward you as a sinner help you as you relate to people and circumstances that you react to in anger? God, as the source and possessor of all knowledge, cannot be less than truthful. He defines reality because he is its origin. In making the claim that our God defines an objective reality, Christianity flatly denies the notion of moral relativism, that we decide what is right and wrong for ourselves. What God declares as good is truly good, and what God declares as bad is truly bad. (p. 124) It is not new truths we need; we need old truths recently forgotten. It is not personal truths we need, but rather shared truth preserved and passed down from one believing generation to the next, personalized to us in our current day. That shared truth is available within the pages of God s Word to me and to all who believe." (p. 129) CHAPTER 9: GOD MOST TRUTHFUL In a world where moral relativism seems to reign, the attribute of God that serves as our foundation and brings us great comfort is his truthfulness. Everything that his Word says about him is true because he cannot lie. Jesus Christ is "the way, the truth, and the life" so in him we see the truthfulness of God in a person. His truthfulness is unchanging. Do you see areas in your life where moral relativism has crept in to your thinking? A key part of truthfulness in the Christian life is confession of sin. Do you find it easy to confess sin to those that you have sinned against or is it easier to conceal the truth? Authorized use for Registered Members Only 15
C H A P T E R S U M M A R I E S CHAPTER 10: GOD MOST WISE The world that we live in today has a "wisdom" that is based on man's opinions, not on the truth of God's Word, without any regard to God and His character. Scripture tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and that the Word of God makes the simple wise. The revelation of God in his Word is our source of true wisdom. What areas in your life are you tempted to trust in worldly wisdom rather than God s wisdom? When faced with a difficult decision that requires wisdom do you find yourself consulting worldly counsel or your feelings rather than seeking wisdom from God through his Word? The worldly-wise place themselves in opposition to God, operating from their own perspective of what is best, a perspective that seeks only the best for them. (p. 139) The Word of God gives us discernment into what is arguably the area we need it most: the thoughts and intentions of our own hearts. In seeing our own depravity, we develop a right reverence (fear) of the Lord. And wisdom begins to be formed in us. (p. 144) Authorized use for Registered Members Only 16
C O N C L U S I O N CONCLUSION CLOSING THOUGHT A study of God's character, particularly his communicable attributes, should never be a mere academic exercise. As one made in the image of God, are you properly reflecting his character? Which attribute do you find the most difficult to reflect in your life? Any study of God's communicable attributes should point Christians to Christ, first as our only hope in life, and second as the perfect image of one who reflects God's character to the world. Christians should desire to live out their faith in their relationships with others in a way that "images" the character of God to those whom they come in contact with. In this book, we learned: Who God Is: A proper understanding of God is necessary for properly reflecting his character. The Perfect Example: Christ, being the exact imprint of God, is able to display his attributes perfectly. How We Should Live: A proper understanding of God's character, perfectly displayed in Christ, will inevitably change the lives of Christians. Authorized use for Registered Members Only 17
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