The Icon of God’s Grace

by: Brandon Crooker

What is an icon? In today’s society, we refer to our favorite actors, musicians, politicians, people of influence on a global stage, and sometimes those who are influential in our personal lives. There is a portion of scripture that says that Jesus is “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). In this and other scriptures, the original Greek term for the image is eikon. Eikon means, image, likeness, statue, profile, or resemblance.

Jesus is the icon of the Invisible God. He is not merely, God’s “icon” or “character,” but is God, in the flesh. Jesus is God! “For in him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9). Jesus is the representation of God to man. In Him, God is revealed—his emotions, His desire, and above all His love.

The greatest icon in our life should be Jesus Christ. He is not only a sacrifice made on our behalf but is the expression and the image of the invisible God. When the Bible says the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him, it tells us that all of the character, personality, and power of the eternal spirit dwells inside Jesus. Because God is a spirit (John 4:24), He had no physical body before the birth of Jesus. God did not need a body, but we needed His body.

The greatest icon in our life should be Jesus Christ.

Brandon Crooker

In John, we read, “No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (John 1:8). No man had seen God until Jesus was born, and declared Him. This is evident when He is teaching in the temple, among many issues Jesus dealt with in this particular conversation, was His identity as God. The Pharisees were furious and considered his sayings to be blasphemous. When He was trying to set them free from their bondage. He said this incredible statement, “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58).

Grace has been referred to as unmerited favor. Grace is undeserved, by any of mankind. None of us is worthy, but God would manifest Himself in the flesh, walk among us, make the ultimate sacrifice in the flesh, and be the propitiation for our sins. He paid the penalty so that we could be set free.

Jesus said this, “..whosoever commiteth sin is the servant of sin.. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:33,35). In sin is destruction, but in Christ, we find life everlasting. Jesus is indeed the icon of God’s grace. Mercifully setting us free from the penalty of sin, gracefully opening the door of salvation to us all, and ultimately helping us understand how to shed the love of God abroad.

Let us remember the only icon which we should have in our life, every day we live.

Brandon Crooker

Through God’s grace, we are forgiven, our mind is transformed, and our hearts are renewed. Let us remember the only icon which we should have in our life, every day we live. That everything we do can be done to His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31), and everything we say can be done in His name (Colossians 3:17).

About Brandon Crooker 5 Articles
Rev. Brandon M. Crooker is a minister of the gospel out of Winterport, Maine. He is a published author of several books including “Matters of the Heart: Exploring What the Bible Says about the Heart,” and “Restore: A Biblical Guide to Restoration & Reconciliation”. He is the founder and managing editor of the “Pentecostal Periodical” and the Host of the “Apostolic Theory” podcast and blog. He is a husband, father, and student of the Word of God.

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