Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Is there a difference between image and likeness? If there is not, why mention both? Perhaps this is where God’s real intentions are stated. He not only wants us to look like Him, He wants us to act like Him.

Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Obviously God cares deeply about the condition of our hearts. He cares so much about the issues of the heart that He changes it for us.

Ezekiel 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

The issue of one heart is one of likeness, being conformed to one standard.

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Returning to the original design which God had for man in Genesis 1:26, to look like on the outside is insufficient to satisfy God’s original design, we must act like, to show His heart.

Luke 6:45a A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good;

James 1:22a But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only,

It is not enough just to look good.