We are told at the beginning of Genesis that we are not a cosmic accident created by chance …
Genesis 1:27
God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them.
God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them.
God very intentionally created us in His image and likeness. Before we let this go to our heads, we should think about what this means and how the knowledge can help us live to in accordance with God’s desires.
Isaiah 43:7
“Everyone who is called by my name, and whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed, yes, whom I have made.”
“Everyone who is called by my name, and whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed, yes, whom I have made.”
We were created to bring God glory. But how exactly can we do that?
Romans 8:29
For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
We are to be conformed to Jesus’ image. We are to imitate Christ (Ephesians 5:1). We are to grow more Christ-like every day. As we become more like Christ, we better reflect God’s image. That’s mind blowing.
The Hebrew words used for “image” and “likeness” are Tselem and Demut, respectively. These Hebrew words convey the meaning of similar to, but not equal or the same. One way to interpret this is that we should be like God and represent God on Earth, in affect acting as an ambassador on behalf of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).
But just how do we act as God’s ambassador? One answer is to not work for your own reward. Simply work to serve God and your fellow human beings.
Luke 14:13-14
“But when you make a feast, ask the poor, the maimed, the lame, or the blind; and you will be blessed, because they don’t have the resources to repay you. For you will be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous.”
“But when you make a feast, ask the poor, the maimed, the lame, or the blind; and you will be blessed, because they don’t have the resources to repay you. For you will be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous.”
It’s true that God gave us` dominion over the creatures of the earth, sky, and sea (Genesis 1:28) – but we act as ambassadors of Christ when we are good and wise stewards of God’s creation.
Also, we can bring God glory when we share our faith and invite people to taste God’s goodness through Christ Jesus.
Mark 16:15
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to the whole creation.”
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to the whole creation.”
We can’t save people; that work must be done by God. But we can share our faith and invite people accept the salvation through Jesus.
By sharing our faith, being an ambassador for Christ, and by acting with loving kindness to all human beings we can glorify God and more beautifully reflect God’s image.
Matthew 5:16
“Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
“Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
