The image is never exactly like the original, never! The image is inferior and the original is superior. The problem started because GOD gave man free will because that is part of being made in the image of GOD. Part of that image was that we were given the ability to choose.
The problem was that man did not have the ability to choose correctly in all areas by himself thus FATHER eliminated the ability for man to know evil. This is a primary difference between the image and the original.
Because Adam and Eve had eyes to discern between good and evil after they had eaten of the fruit, they had no way to deal autonomously with evil. Since their genetic makeup did not allow for it, they could be tempted and seduced whereas GOD cannot be.
The difference between the image and the original created a small barrier which meant we were always intended to be submissive to FATHER. We were meant to honor HIM and never mistreat the relationship hence “the fear of THE LORD”.
FATHER and Jesus understood the potential liability of giving man free will thus THEY decided that Jesus would redeem man before they formed the first man. In Revelation 13, The Beloved Disciple wrote as directed by The Holy Spirit:
8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
The plan was in place to redeem man even before Adam and Eve. It is all about Agape Love!
FATHER knew that when HE gave man free will, man would not do the correct thing in every situation thus HE had the solution before the first problem surfaced on earth. FATHER is always multiple steps ahead of unrighteousness. He and Jesus agreed to the plan and became Our Redeemer.
As a result of Adam’s sin in the garden, he was becoming a mere man and losing his status as a “Son of GOD”. What was the result? He had to be cast out of the garden and his body would begin to deteriorate ultimately resulting in physical death.
As Moses who received the revelation of Genesis wrote in chapter 5:
5 So all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years; and he died.
Enoch was the exception:
21 Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. 22 After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. 23 So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. 24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.
Enoch did not suffer physical death because he pursued a mature relationship of walking with GOD. He knew the story of the garden since Adam was 622 years old when Enoch was born. Over the next 65 years, Enoch would hear of the stories from the garden and responded to them by seeking a relationship with FATHER. He was rewarded by spending 300 years on earth walking in fellowship with GOD.
Methuselah born to Enoch at the age 65 so Methuselah was surely instructed by Enoch for 300 years concerning the way of THE LORD. This was critical since Noah would receive the “handed down” instructions from Methuselah. Noah was born when Methuselah was 369 years old. They had 600 years to talk about the garden, Adam’s walk with THE LORD, and Enoch’s walk with THE LORD (as a double witness).
All of this detail provides us with perspective of FATHER’S overall plan of redemption. HE was protecting the bloodline of mankind from the nephilim and their intent to compromise that bloodline by modifying the genetics of men. FATHER instructed Enoch on Holiness and righteousness.
Holiness is the state of being Holy; purity or integrity of moral character; freedom from sin; sanctity. Applied to the Supreme Being, Holiness denotes perfect purity or integrity of moral character, one of HIS essential attributes.
Righteousness is purity of heart and rectitude of life; conformity of heart and life to the Divine Law. Righteousness as used in Scripture, in which it is chiefly used, is nearly equivalent to Holiness, comprehending Holy principles and affections of heart, and conformity of life to the Divine Law. It includes all we call justice, honesty and virtue, with Holy affections.
FATHER is HOLY and HE is the “original”. The “image” started out Holy but broke The Law and became subject to sin. To become Holy, we must walk in righteousness which includes the conformity of heart and life to the Divine Law.
We can be Holy and Righteous through the Blood of Our Redeemer. However, we must walk by Holy principles as well which is done by being fully led by The Holy Spirit.