In Our Image
As a graphic designer, the goal when creating logos for my clients is to reflect their business identity with something simple but eye-catching and memorable. Color is not as critical as shape. Once that brand is solidified, it must be strategically placed for the target audience. Obviously, the more it's seen, the bigger the likelihood of it being called to mind when needed. The best logo design has no affect if not well marketed.
The Greek term "logos" (λόγος), is translated "word" but this meaning gradually extended to include other concepts such as speek, thought, reason, principle and logic. When the Hebrew Scriptures were translated to Greek (the Septuagint), this word was used for the Word of God in creation of heaven (Psalm 33:6). In the New Testament, the Apostle John used it repeatedly to describe Jesus: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'"
According to Genesis, we were created in the likeness of God. We were given many of His communicable attributes. We are to recognize those gifts without boasting; since they are in fact, given to us and not earned. It occurs to me, however, that in our pride we desperately want to see our image inscribed rather than His. We place our image on currency, architecture, structures, products. We create things (because that is one of the attributes of God) and then place our image on them.
I think what's bothering me is that we take it a step further and try to create God in our image! Follow me on this thought. We want a kinder, gentler god. Someone who will tell us that anything we choose to do is okay with Him. We prefer god as one who only cares how we feel, not what we do. Likewise, we select our leaders based on what they say, not what we need to hear! Then we make gods out of them. We don't want accountability. We don't like words like obey and submit. We want a judge who is gracious when we are on trial but not when the one who wronged us is on trial! How do we reconcile the need for both justice and grace? God is both. Otherwise He wouldn't be God! His divine answer: send the Logos to stand in our place, so that justice is served through Him while extending grace to us!
The thing is, we're so depraved that we don't even want to accept that! We actually believe that we can attain favor from God based on our own righteousness, of which we have none! Zero! In the words of Jeremiah, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?". So deceitful, in fact, that we deceive ourselves into believing that we have enough good in us to inherit the kingdom on our own merit.
We can't even obey the first commandment "Thou shall have no other gods before Me"... for we are quick to make ourselves, others, power, money, status, you name it - into gods.
Oh, that we would humble ourselves to become the reflection of Christ, Who considered Himself nothing by becoming a servant.
The Greek term "logos" (λόγος), is translated "word" but this meaning gradually extended to include other concepts such as speek, thought, reason, principle and logic. When the Hebrew Scriptures were translated to Greek (the Septuagint), this word was used for the Word of God in creation of heaven (Psalm 33:6). In the New Testament, the Apostle John used it repeatedly to describe Jesus: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'"
According to Genesis, we were created in the likeness of God. We were given many of His communicable attributes. We are to recognize those gifts without boasting; since they are in fact, given to us and not earned. It occurs to me, however, that in our pride we desperately want to see our image inscribed rather than His. We place our image on currency, architecture, structures, products. We create things (because that is one of the attributes of God) and then place our image on them.
I think what's bothering me is that we take it a step further and try to create God in our image! Follow me on this thought. We want a kinder, gentler god. Someone who will tell us that anything we choose to do is okay with Him. We prefer god as one who only cares how we feel, not what we do. Likewise, we select our leaders based on what they say, not what we need to hear! Then we make gods out of them. We don't want accountability. We don't like words like obey and submit. We want a judge who is gracious when we are on trial but not when the one who wronged us is on trial! How do we reconcile the need for both justice and grace? God is both. Otherwise He wouldn't be God! His divine answer: send the Logos to stand in our place, so that justice is served through Him while extending grace to us!
The thing is, we're so depraved that we don't even want to accept that! We actually believe that we can attain favor from God based on our own righteousness, of which we have none! Zero! In the words of Jeremiah, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?". So deceitful, in fact, that we deceive ourselves into believing that we have enough good in us to inherit the kingdom on our own merit.
We can't even obey the first commandment "Thou shall have no other gods before Me"... for we are quick to make ourselves, others, power, money, status, you name it - into gods.
Oh, that we would humble ourselves to become the reflection of Christ, Who considered Himself nothing by becoming a servant.
One of the gods I find that is largely served in society is that of tolerance. Tolerance is the god that does tell us what we want to hear. It allows for those things that our Creator abhors to become socially acceptable or politically correct.
ReplyDeleteThe god of tolerance widens the path and the gate that leads to the acceptance of everything society wants to participate in. From sexual immorality, to drugs, to the exploitation of our little ones.
If one wants to challenge what can be preceived as a narrow mind/narrow point of view, just throw the god of tolerance into the mix and watch the masses cower in their fear of insulting anyone.
As for me, give me the narrow path and the narrow gate. Present to me an opportunity to insult someone with my narrow-minded view given to me via the lens of my Father's Holy Word.
For I will not cower away from the politically correct or socially acceptable weapons being launched in my direction. It is time for the silent majority to no longer be silent. Let us shout out 2 Chronicles 7:14. Let us start in our own homes using the spine found in Joshua 24:15.
Just look around and see this simple fact; anything that is referred to as socially acceptable or politically correct, it is something that is damaging to our character, our ethics, our integrity and our homes.
-- John M. Padilla
I couldn't agree more, John. We must ask ourselves: was Jesus tolerant?
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