I am currently reading The God Who Gives by Kelly M. Kapic. As the title suggests, the book explores the many ways God reveals Himself through His giving nature. One of the most fundamental ways He does this is through the creation of humanity. Moses recorded this truth plainly: “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 the truth about all mankind: God made us—male and female, man and woman—just two sexes, no more. But why? What was His purpose in shaping us this way? Certainly, it was for His glory. But even beyond that, He made us to fulfill a role in His universe, to reflect something about Himself to creation.
Human beings are theomorphic—made in the likeness of God—so that He can communicate Himself to the world through us. This is no small thing. The church, as His body, carries this divine imprint in a unique way. Paul explains that we are ambassadors of Christ, representatives of His kingdom. Our very presence in the world declares that God is still active, still with us, still aware of all that happens.
This is where being image bearers matters. We are not merely given the ability to see and hear—we are meant to see and hear as God does. The psalmist reminds us, “He who planted the ear, does He not hear? He who formed the eye, does He not see?” (Psalm 94:9, NASB). Bruce Waltke rightly observes that God gave people ears to show that He hears the cries of the afflicted, and eyes to show that He sees the suffering of the pitiful. In other words, we are meant to reflect His heart to the world.
David Will captured this truth beautifully in his song You’re the Only Jesus, made well known by The Imperials:
“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.”
Paul says it this way: “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).
If we bear His image, then the world should see Christ in us. Let them see Him. Let them hear Him. Let them know that He is here.
Amen.
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