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Image Bearers
What does the bible mean when is says in Genesis 1:27 “We are all created in the image of God?”
Genesis 1:27 NIV So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Does this mean that we resemble God's likeness, having features in common with God, such as arms legs, hands, feet, fingers and a face? Maybe, but I really don't think this is all of what being made in the image of God really means. Being made in the image of God is not so much a physical feature, something that man has, it is more something that man is.
On the last day of creation, when God said let us make man in our image, in our likeness, He finished His work with a “personal touch.” God formed Adam from the dust and gave him life by sharing His own breath with him. Accordingly, humanity is unique among all of God’s creation, having both a material body and an in-material soul or spirit. To say that we are made in the image of God is to recognize the special qualities of the human nature that God gave us, that he did not give to any of the rest of his creation.
Human beings can reason and choose. This is a reflection of God's likeness. Anytime someone invents a machine, writes a book, paints a landscape, enjoys a symphony, or names a child, he or she is proclaiming the fact that we are made in God’s image. Our conscience, our moral compass is feature that is only bestowed on us and is not something any of the rest of God's creation has. Whenever someone writes a law, recoils from evil, praises good behavior, or feels guilty, he or she is confirming the fact that we are made in God’s own image.
God created us for fellowship with him. In the Garden of Eden, humanity’s primary relationship was with God. God made the first woman because it was not good for the man to be alone. Every time someone marries, makes a friend, hugs a child, they are demonstrating the fact that we are made in the likeness of God. So if we are created in the image of God we must love, honor and respect everyone no matter what they look like, how they dress, the color of their skin, or their social or financial position in this world.... We must love them even if they don't agree with us!!!
1 John 4: 20-21 NIV Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Wow!!! In today's world loving your brother or sister even when they don't agree with you is a huge request! The world today is a veritable petrie dish of conflicting viewpoints and dysfunctional behavior. Since we are all created in the image of God we must love everyone despite our vast differences and disagreements. All this being said,... not everyone is a child of God! The good news is God offers everyone redemption. That redemption is only available by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior from the sin that separates us from God. Being made in the image of God we all have and eternal soul. Where your soul spends eternity, Heaven or Hell, is your choice! Choose wisely, your choice will have an eternalconsequence!!!
