In the book of Genesis we see Adam and Eve created in God’s image. In II Corinthians we see that reality returning in Christ.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (II Cor 3:18)

Through Jesus Christ relationship with God is restored. Once again our tie to God makes us who we are. The Christian life contains this great irony. We do not find out who we are by looking at ourselves but at Christ. Just as it was with Adam, our own specialness is revealed as we walk with God.

How should this change our lives? What do we do with our specialness in Christ? I believe we can learn a lesson from Old Covenant Israel. Israel was special. They were God’s chosen people. Yet, many thought that meant everyone else was not special. In fact, some Jews in the first century believed God despised the rest of humanity. One of the common names for the Gentiles was “dogs.”

The scriptures show that those who thought such things did not understand the purpose of God. Through Israel would come the Messiah who would die for the sins of the whole world. Israel was special, because through them would come specialness for the everyone.

We in our day are not like Old Covenant Israel. Their purpose has been accomplished. Yet, we are not to make the same mistake many of them did. Our job is not to judge the world but to convince the unbelieving of how special they are too. For the Savior has died for them.

Jesus said that He did come to condemn the world. I think many would say, “Don’t worry, when Jesus left, He gave that job to the church!” On the contrary, our purpose to tell the good news of the grace of God. You may have heard the expression, “I love my job!” I believe it is time for the church to once again fall in love with its job of teaching and showing the infinite love of Christ.