A BIBLICAL VIEW OF SELF THROUGH GOD’S EYES : Imago Dei | What does it mean to be made in the Image of God? In the beginning of the Bible is the story of creation. Within this beautiful layout is the creation of man which is the pinnacle of Gods creation because,
God created man in his own image… in the image of God he created them
Gen 1:27
Why Does this Matter?
God is the only one who can create and sustain all things.
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together
Colossians 1:27
No Other Creation has Communion with God
A right view of God and his majesty molds the way in which we can rightly see ourselves. The peak of the creation story is Adam and Eve depicting a clear picture that mankind has intrinsic value and dignity above and beyond all else in the world that will ever exist. No other creation has the privilege of being able to communicate with God or grow in him because of these truths. This is only given to the sons and daughters of God. No other creation on earth is sought out by God or seeks God back.
Society will give two stories of how we should evaluate ourselves and they’ll often be two complete contradictions to each other. We’re told to only listen to ourselves and our own hearts because nobody knows what its like to walk in our shoes, while simultaneously canceling any person who may have a skewed view of race, politics, or whatever hot button issue there is. Imago Dei| What does it mean to be made in the Image of God?
Conformed to the Image of God
Where’s the humility to acknowledge we need others for wisdom? (Prov 15:22) or the grace to be conformed to a greater image of what God calls us to know and be?
18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18
All of us are constantly being shaped and molded by something, here are some questions and motivations to bring us back to a biblical view of self. Imago Dei | What Does it Mean to be made in the Image of God?
Reflections
Remember You are Made in the Image of God
- What helps you remember that you are made in the image of God? In what ways has society skewed your view of self?
- In what ways has social media shaped your view of self?
- In what ways have your family and friends shaped your view of self?
God has the ultimate say about who you are, there’s wisdom in seeking counsel from others, use the Bible first and Bible most in all things.
What it Means to be Truly Human
The book of Genesis shows God as the only eternal being who creates and maintains what he creates. As God makes humanity, what does he immediately have them do?
God says to:
let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth”
Genesis 1:26
Mankind isn’t meant to be an idle being lack of purpose, direction, and vigor for life. We’re meant to cultivate and tend to what we’ve been blessed and entrusted with. The vibrancy and flourishing we desire in life comes from abiding in God and how he says we ought to order and live our lives. Imago Dei| What does it mean to be made in the Image of God?
In the Parable of the Talents (Matt 25:14-30), there’s a master who gives three men different sets of talents, each according to their own ability. One man receives five, another two, and the last, one. The man with five doubled what he was given, the man with two doubled what he was given, and the man who was given one talent buried his treasure assuring he wouldn’t lose it.
The master comes to settle his accounts and is well pleased with the two men and even says:
…enter in the joy of your master
Matthew 25:21
But with the man who did nothing with what he was given, he was severely punished because he refused not to steward the gift he was given like the other two men. While belief in Christ is a gift of grace in and of itself, our continuing growth in Christ is a twofold blessing because we get the ultimate gift of God himself and countless blessings while here on earth.
Listen to the Holy Spirit
This does NOT mean every action must be some sort of prayer or conversation directly about God in order for us to be fulfilling this command. But our hearts must always be attentive to where the Spirit calls and leads our lives. May we always harken back to the command to work and cultivate the lives we have been given because where the father leads, the spirit enables, all while constantly giving glory to the Son. The means and ways in which this plays out looks different in every individual life. Imago Dei| What does it mean to be made in the Image of God?
Here are some motivations/questions to stir our affections to that for which God has called us:
Reflections
- Are you being a light in the workplace/school you’re currently at? If not, what ways can you show hospitality that generates conversations that center around the Gospel?
- What gifts have you been given? If unaware of what they are, ask friends and family! If aware, are you using them to the best of your ability to help others in their faith or lack thereof?
- What ways are you loving the household you’re in and bringing life to those around you?
Life is Hard
Life can be hard, messy, and just tiring. Especially during these trying times during a pandemic, we need more than ever a place of escape and solace. Who better to turn than the one who says:
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest
Matthew 11:28
None of us are immune to the harshness of this world, so take heart and know we have a God who is looking to shine his glory so that we may find the joy we have always longed and searched for. If you’ve never acknowledged the finished work of Christ and believed that he is the only way to be forgiven of the sins you, I, and everyone else have committed, then I plead with you to trust and believe in this good news thats called the Gospel.
When you do this, you get to have eternal life with God for eternity, and this will be the pinnacle of your life. For the first time in your life, you will be fully known, and fully loved by the God who is absolutely perfect in every way and knows every thought, deeds, and everything else you’ve done and still decides to love you. What a gift of grace and display of mercy this is. My prayer for you would be that you believe God and his word, know his love and provision, and find satisfaction in him alone. Have a great week of worship and, “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31).
Please watch the GREAT NEWS FOR YOU video on this page if you would like to invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior. May God bless you and keep you.
