The main aim of all rational creatures, defined by many philosophers as the greatest good, is to become like God. Actually this is not so much a discovery of the philosophers as something derived from Holy Scripture. The book of Genesis illustrates it when it describes the original creation of the human race in the words: ‘God said, “Let us make human beings in our image and likeness.” So God created human beings in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.’
Notice that it says: ‘God created human beings in his image’ and says nothing about likeness.
This means that the human race received the dignity of God's image at the beginning of its creation, whereas the perfection of God's likeness is reserved for the end. Human beings must achieve it by imitating God in his works. The possibility of perfection is there right at the beginning by virtue of the image. In the end, human beings will reach perfect likeness by means of their works.
This idea has been put forward in a clearer form by the Apostle John. ‘Beloved, we are God’s children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, we shall see him as he is.’ (1 John 3:2) He refers to the end of all things and, while simply admitting that the end is as yet unknown, he expresses the hope that we shall be made like God by virtue of our good deeds. Thanks to his intercession for us, we shall proceed from likeness to unity, since in the end ‘God will be all in all’. (1 Cor. 15:28)
ORIGEN Principles, 3, 6
