In the image of God

Genesis 1:27

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

In the creation account, we find that God created many things. He created the grass, herbs, and trees. He created also the whales, fish, and birds. We see that He created the cosmos, including the sun, moon, stars, and heavenly bodies. He created everything visible and invisible. And much of this is recorded in Genesis 1 and 2. But when He chose to create man, the creation ascended to another level. This was not like the rest of creation. The rest of creation He spoke into existence, and “the earth brought forth” the creatures. But here we see that God Himself formed man of the dust of the ground (see Genesis 2:7), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. Such is not said of the other creatures. But even much greater than that—much more wonderful—much more distinct, is the statement in our verse today, that He created man in His own image! What a privilege! What an amazing identity! What likeness! We are created in the image of God!

Being created in the image of God brings intrinsic worth to every human being; for you see, every man and every woman is created in God’s image. The woman was taken out of man, and named “Woman” by the man. She is bone of his bones, and flesh of his flesh. Therefore she too, by virtue of her origin, is created in the beautiful image of God! How could it be, that little men and women are created in the likeness of God! This is why men and women should be respected. Why should we not kill one another? Why should a precious life in the womb, before it is brought forth, be considered with the highest regard, and loved with the deepest love? Because it is a little image of God? Why should we respect our bodies, and consider what we place into our bodies? Why should we guard against bad habits that destroy and weaken this vessel that God has given us? Because it is the image of God! When we lose grasp on this truth, we lose the dignity of human life, and we diminish the value of the individual.

Now, my friend, as you go about your day, will you consider the men and women about you? Will you consider that they, like you, have been fashioned in the image of God? Will you love and care for them? Will you respect them? Will you have compassion on those who have forgotten this truth, and need to be brought back to a true understanding of their own value? Let us remember these things, and let us be cognizant of the great fact that we ourselves are created in His image. May all that we say this day, all that we do this day, and all that we ponder and meditate on today be in accordance with the beauty of God’s character, because we are created by Him, and we bear His image—the very image of God.

“Dear Father, we know that we have been gloriously made in the very image of our great God. This is nothing to boast of, but is very humbling. May we live out this truth in our own lives today, and see others through this lens. What a beauty your image must be! And please, dear Lord, let us not mar that image by misbehavior or unbecoming attitudes or actions. May we bear that image appropriately, and may we be holy, for you are holy. May we bring glory to your image by our lives, that others may also glorify our Father which is in Heaven. In Jesus’ wonderful name we pray, Amen.”