From the very beginning, God has revealed Himself as the Giver—of life, of purpose, of Himself. The creation of man is no exception. “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27, NASB). This is a foundational truth, one that shapes our understanding of who we are and why we exist. But what does it mean to be made in the image of God? What purpose does it serve?
All Things
We know that all things exist for God’s glory, but in creating human beings in His likeness, He did something distinct. He gave us the ability to reflect Him in a way no other part of creation can. To be human is to be “theomorphic”—fashioned after God’s own nature—not in physical form, but in our capacity to know Him, to relate to Him, and to make Him known. We were created to communicate God’s presence in the world.
The psalmist declares, “He who planted the ear, does He not hear? He who formed the eye, does He not see?” (Psalm 94:9, NASB). This is not mere poetry; it is a profound truth about God’s engagement with His creation. He sees, He hears, and He cares. But how does He show this to the world? Through those who bear His image.
Bruce Waltke captures this well when he says, “He gave people—that is, God—ears to show that He hears the cry of the afflicted and eyes to show that He sees the plight of the pitiful.”
This is where the church, the body of Christ, must take its calling seriously. Paul reminds us, “For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:5-6, NASB).
Shine!
Our mission is to let that light shine—to be the eyes that see as God sees, the ears that hear as He hears, and the hands that reach out as His own. Perhaps this is why Paul calls believers “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20). An ambassador does not represent himself; he speaks on behalf of another. As bearers of God’s image, we are to demonstrate to the world that He is near, that He is not distant or unaware. He is still at work, still incarnate through His people.
There is an old gospel song that says,
“Cause You’re the only Jesus some will ever see
And You’re the only words of life some will ever read
So let them see in You the One in whom is all they’ll ever need
‘Cause You’re the only Jesus some will ever see.”
What an incredible responsibility! If people are to know God’s compassion, they will see it in those who love as He loves. If they are to understand His truth, they will hear it from those who speak His Word. If they are to recognize His presence, they will discern it through the lives of those who walk with Him.
The image of God is not merely a theological idea; it is a calling. It is a summons to reflect Him in a world that desperately needs to know He is still here, still speaking, still saving. The question we must ask ourselves is this: If we are the image of God, what are we showing the world?
Amen.
Cross References:
- Matthew 5:16 (BSB) – “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
- Ephesians 5:1-2 (BSB) – “Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.”
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