You Were Made in God’s Image

Did you know that you were made in God’s image?

It’s true. The Bible states that, at the beginning of the earth’s history, God chose to create the world. [1] When He got around to creating humans on the sixth day, He chose to create us “in His own image” (Genesis 1:26).

“Made in God’s image.” It’s a cool concept. But why should it matter to you?

It’s important that you understand what it means to be made in God’s image for two reasons:

1. Since you were created by God, in His image, then studying yourself can help you understand more about God. [2]
2. A solid understanding of your “created-ness” will help you truly grasp the personal nature of the relationship God so deeply desires to have with you.
3. Finally, understanding that you were created by God also helps you to know yourself: “made in God’s image, fallen and yet redeemed.” [3] Knowing yourself better always leads to a greater adoration of God.

In his book The Case for a Creator, Lee Strobel writes: “After all, He’s not just the Creator in a broad sense; he’s your Creator. You were made to relate to him in a vibrant, dynamic, and intimate way.” [4] I love that! The God who formed you and me made us on purpose. He made us with personalities so He could know us. He made us very much like Him.

What does it mean to be made in God’s image?

“Being made in God’s image” means that God placed some of His characteristics in you when He created you. For example:

• God has personality—composed of “knowledge, feelings (including religious feelings) and a will” [5] — and so do you.
• God is free to do as He wishes, and so are you.
• God is responsible, and so are you and I when we choose to be. (We are certainly accountable, and must suffer the consequences of our actions even if we choose not to be true to our responsibilities.)
• God also possesses spirituality–the ability to interact with God in the spirit realm—and so do we. [6]

Because God has given you and I these abilities to choose freely, interact with Him, and be responsible and accountable for our choices, we must be good stewards of these abilities and use them for God’s glory. We must demonstrate  responsibility toward God with all of our choices.

In everyday life, we can carry out our responsibility toward God by:

• Choosing God’s salvation through Jesus.
• Loving and worshipping Him.
• Abiding in Jesus.
• Treasuring the presence of the Holy Spirit.
• Studying God’s Word and hiding it in our hearts.
• Doing what God does and saying what He says.
• Loving other people the way He loves them.
• Being good stewards of His creation and the environment; and
• Being good stewards of ourselves (taking care to develop all the assets of body, soul, and spirit God has given us). [7]

When mankind chose to sin, we forsook our responsibility toward our Creator. We lost the intimacy with Him that we originally had. However, when Christ secured our salvation by dying on the cross, Christ bought our relationship with our Creator back. [8] When you accept the great salvation Christ purchased for you with His blood, He forgives your sins and reconciles you back to relationship with God.

Through Jesus, you get to be with your Creator again. Every day, all day. You never have to be apart from the One who planned you, made you, and absolutely adores you.

YOU were made in God’s image. You were made for His presence. In Him you live, and move, and have your being (Acts 17:28).

Although you are not exactly like God, you were still made in God’s image. He made you on purpose, and longs for intimate relationship with you.

Would you seek Him today?