The Likeness Of Men

Philippians 2:4-8 ESV

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant,   being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 

We sometimes will point to the idea we are made in the image of God, and the Bible says that, but also says when Jesus took on our image He became nothing, in the likeness of man. We don't point to that verse quite as often. Some might read this as another example of why the Bible is unreliable, or take one verse and forget the other. 

Another thought for consideration is that both statements are true if considered in context. Genesis tells us that man was created in God's image, but tells us that death entered creation through man's disobedience. Collectively, we fell and death became part of the human form. 

God was not satisfied to leave us in that state. He came and took our fallen shape, a likeness of our own making. He became obedient to the point of death, for due to disobedience, that's where we are. He came to restore us to the glory we lost, for His glory.

Obedience is required, just as in the beginning. Jesus has shown the way, truth, and life.