Love God Greatly: In the BeginningSample

The sixth day of creation is both the peak and the goal of creation. God created the heavens, the earth, the sky, the sea, and the land, and then filled them with stars, birds, fish, and animals. Finally, God created humans. This was the climax of creation because humankind was like no other created thing: humankind was created in the image of God.

To be created in the image of God is far beyond our ability to comprehend. Being made in God’s image does not mean we look like God. Rather, as humans, we reflect God’s character and nature, not His form. We display His image when we reflect His character. We are able to create, show compassion, love, and communicate. (Sin, of course, had and continues to have an effect on our ability to reflect God’s character, but as far as our reading in Genesis, sin hasn’t yet entered the picture.) 

Being created in the image of God means we are designed to be a reflection of who God is in the world. God has a divine purpose for creating us this way. It is our purpose to be imitators of Him. We are to be His representatives, to show His love in creation and, to those who don’t know Him, His love. We are to create life like He did. We are to rule and subdue the earth. We are to display His character each and every day. 

The same way God created boundaries for the rest of creation, He created boundaries for humanity. We are not God, but we have been given the great privilege of being formed in God’s image. It is not a burden, but an honor to reflect Him to the world. May we live each and every day as His representatives, sharing His love with the rest of creation. 

Prayer:

Lord God, it continually overwhelms me to know I am made in Your image. Help me grow in my understanding of what this means every day. Allow me to be a reflection of who You are, of Your character and Your love, to the world. Amen.