21642. WHOSE LIKENESS IS THIS

The Pharisees came to test the Lord. They sought to ensnare Him in His words. "Ought children of God to pay the tax?" With wisdom divine He answered back: "The image and name will show to you What you must give up, and so, to whom. What bears the king's image and his name, Give him, but much more give God the same."

'Twas in the beginning of the world, God crowned His creation with a word, And fashioned a man out of the ground, "That in him Our image may be found." No animal placed upon the earth Had such a great gift of matchless worth— Eternity placed within his heart, A spirit to set mankind apart.

The image of God was in the two, But seeking still more, they took the fruit. These children of God betrayed His name Then fled from His presence, clothed in shame. And so thru the years, we all have sinned. Corrupting the image placed within. The Maker of all things pure and true Alone can restore what once we knew.

For those who believe, a hope lives on— "Conformed to the image of His Son," Created in likeness of our God, Reborn of the water and the blood, The image of dust to put away, Renewing our spirits day by day, Until we shall see Him as He is, Our image transformed to be like His.