Created in God's Image

It certainly presents an awkward moment for parents when their pre-schooler asks, “Where do babies come from?” But some Christians find it awkward to answer a bigger question in the face of our science-rich culture, “Where did man come from?” Are we the product of random evolutionary forces or are we the result of a creative act of God? The Bible doesn’t hesitate, and neither should we, to identify our existence as the work of God. We were created in God’s image.

Genesis 1.26 states, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.’” Verse 27 goes on to say, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.” God created human beings in His own image.

But what does it mean to be created in the image of God? It certainly doesn’t mean that we bear a physical resemblance to God because God is pure spirit. So our resemblance to God must reside in our immaterial nature. We share both a moral and a personal likeness to God. Morally, the first man and woman were created both innocent and holy in character. There was no taint of sin in Adam and Eve. Genesis 1.31 tells us, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” This assessment by God included the moral condition of the first man and woman.

In addition to a moral likeness, God created us to have a personal likeness to Him. Personality includes three elements, intellect, emotion, and will. Like God we have a capacity to think, to feel, and to choose. This personal likeness to God makes us stand out from the rest of the physical creation. It gives us the ability to entertain abstract thoughts, to enjoy aesthetic wonders, and to engage in intentional worship of God.

Regrettably, sin entered the picture. While sin didn’t erase the image of God in us, it did mar that image. Because we retain even a marred image of God, we’re to treat one another with dignity and respect. James 3.9-10 says, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.” Because we were made in God’s image, human life and dignity are still sacred.

There’s good news, however, about our fallen condition. God, through Jesus Christ, is restoring the fullness of His image in us. Ephesians 4.24 says that in Christ we are “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Do you have Jesus in your heart? Invite Him to be your Saviour today and welcome His transforming work in your life every day.