Paul writes, “Just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.”

Devotional: Every morning we see the reflection of our humanity in the mirror—tired eyes, wrinkles deepening, proof that this life is fragile and fleeting. Paul understood that reality well. He never denied the limits of our bodies or the struggles of earthly living. But in this verse, he offers a breathtaking promise: the same way we bear Adam’s image now, one day we’ll fully bear Christ’s.

That’s the hope beating beneath the gospel. Our likeness to God isn’t erased by sin; it’s being restored through Jesus. The “earthly man,” Adam, reminds us of brokenness—the ways we’ve fallen short, the suffering that shadows this life. But the “heavenly man,” Jesus, shows us what humanity looks like when it’s made whole again. In Him, the image of God is no longer marred; it’s radiant.

And this transformation isn’t just something waiting for heaven. It begins now. The Spirit is already at work, reshaping us little by little into Christ’s likeness. Each act of forgiveness, each step of obedience, each moment of surrender is like a brushstroke of divine artistry, restoring the beauty of who we were always meant to be.

That means even our pain, our weariness, and our imperfections aren’t wasted. They become part of the story God is rewriting—one that ends not in decay but in resurrection. The day will come when every scar will tell of redemption, every tear will be redeemed, and the image of Christ will shine unhindered through every believer.

Imagine that. A world where no shadow of sin remains. Where love defines every heart and light fills every corner. That’s not wishful thinking—it’s the promise of the gospel. Until that day, we live as in-between people—still bearing the marks of the earthly but reflecting glimpses of the heavenly.

You may not feel glorious today. You may feel worn down by life. But even now, you carry the image of the Man from Heaven. And one day, that image will be all that remains—bright, eternal, and complete.

Action: Write down one area of your life that feels marked by weakness or failure. Offer it to God as a place for His transformation. Pray for grace to see His image even in your imperfections.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the image of the invisible God, and through You, I am being made new. Thank You for the promise that what is broken will be restored, what is weary will be renewed, and what is incomplete will one day reflect Your glory perfectly. Keep shaping me until Your image shines clearly in me. Help me live today as one being transformed for eternity. In Your name, amen.

Thought for the Day: You bear the image of the earthly man now—but you’re being shaped for heaven.