Made in God's Image

By Benjamin H. Liles

           "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth'" (Genesis 1:26-28, New King James).


          From the outset of this I want to point out a number of things: God, in all His fullness, with the work of His Holy Spirit as well as Jesus Christ created man in His image. That's the first thing. The second is a bit like that: we have the ability to create things as well. Just as God created all things as much as He made us, He also gave us that same ability; "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food," says God (Genesis 1:29-30). We can make food out of the things God gave us command over.
          This leads into the next thing God said, too--"let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." We have His ability to command and rule those things, which He made for us to be part of with Him. It's looking more and more like God made man for one specific thing in my mind.

          The full point as to why God created man in His image was to have an express and exclusive relationship with creation, with mankind. In all of Jesus Christ's earthly ministry He was in constant relationship with others. While Jesus was on the cross, we read, "When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, 'Woman, here is your son.' Then He said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." So from that hour, this disciple took her into his home" (John 19:26-27, Berean Study). Imagine that! God made us to be like Him, to have a spirit-life, to walk with Him, to rule over things in life with Him!
          I know by far this is a huge leap from what I have written in the past in terms of articles, but we need to understand why God chooses us. Yes, He created the angels and all within this world, but when Adam and Eve sinned this world was corrupted. It is why, within scripture we read, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea" (Revelation 21:1, New American Standard). Sin has so tainted this world, and all the wickedness therein that God cannot allow this world to keep continuing on as before. He will have to make ALL things new.
          It is why when God calls us to newness of life He plants eternity in our hearts. It is why when He restores us to having a spirit-filled life, to be able to walk and know Him, He gives us hope and peace. It's not the same kind of peace, hope and renewal as this world offers, because this world is passing away, at best it is fleeting. But life with Christ, who fulfills God's word and extends the grace and mercy of God toward us, is far more exciting than what others would tell you and have you believe. My hope and prayer today is that as you read this you see that God has made you to be a friend to you. The kind of friend who allows you to yell, scream, roar, cry, laugh and shout is the kind of friend you would want by your side for all time. I pray this touches and heals your heart today in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.