Ponder This: What does it mean to be made in the image of God?
Scripture To Consider: "Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” -Genesis 1:26
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Mary Ann's Response:
In Genesis 1:26, God said:
“Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…”
Who I am, and why am I here, answers what it is to be made in God’s image. I believe God created each of us with individual gifts, purpose, and free will. He lovingly trusts us to choose how we will use the time and the gifts He has blessed us with. I also feel it is important to God that we live with courage and keep our faith strong.
I know our God created us in His perfect image. I am grateful for this, and I try to live with purpose, intention, and love as an expression of that gratitude, because I realize each day is a gift from Him.
In Genesis 15:5, God brought Abraham outside and said:
“Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them… so shall your offspring be.”
God wasn’t simply promising Abraham countless descendants — He was revealing a greater purpose: that His people would fill the earth and represent Him. From creation (Genesis 1:26) to God’s promise to Abraham, His desire has always been that His image would be seen, known, and shared throughout the world.
I love the worship songs “Highly Favored” by Brandon Lake and “Wanted” by Danny Gokey because they both beautifully speak to our identity and worth in Christ. They remind me that we are chosen, loved, seen, and set apart by God. We are not here by accident — we were created with intention and beauty by Him. These songs celebrate the truth that God calls us His own, not because of what we can offer, but simply because He loves us and wants us. When I embrace who God made me to be, I can live with boldness, joy, and confidence. And know I am deeply loved, valued, and called by God.
James 3:9 says:
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.” This reminds us that our words and actions carry great weight — especially knowing that every person we encounter is made with God’s love.
Because of this truth, it matters how we live each day. I recently heard something Erika Kirk shared: she mentioned that Charlie Kirk would ask himself three questions daily. They deeply resonated with me. Although I am a continuous work in progress, I want to be intentional in living these out — even if I accomplish just one each day:
• What is something I can do for someone today?
• What is something I can do to add value to the world today?
• How can I honor God today?
These daily questions matter so deeply because God has entrusted us with the responsibility to reflect Him. How we treat others is one of the clearest reflections of God’s image within us. Our kindness, patience, compassion, and love show the world who He is — just as God intended from our very beginning.
Tom's Response: The Bible tells us that God has a special, holy purpose for us. Jeremiah 1:5 states that God cherished us before we were developed in the womb. Psalm 139 shares that even before you were born, God had written everything about you in His book. God knows you so intimately that he knows the number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:7). Isaiah 43:1, the Lord states, "You are mine." God knows you personally, loves you, and claims you as His own. He has made us in His image. He created you to be like Himself (Genesis 1:27). He made us in His image so that we could have a unique relationship with Him now. He made us in His image to do everything for His glory.
God is supremely creative. The human body is amazing. The complex process from conception to birth has always had me in awe of His creativity. The Creator of all things uniquely created you to have a deep relationship with Him. All of creation tells of His glory, but only we were made to reflect His very image.
Karen's Response: There are many beautiful names that God calls us, but 'image bearer' is the one that gives us our purpose, the invitation on how to live our lives.
When I reflect on the verse, Genesis 1:26, the use of plural pronouns stands out. Let "us" make man in "our" image and "our" likeness. This truth ensures that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were all present from the very beginning, and that we are created in their image. Therefore, each part of the triune God we serve is a role model that we are designed to reflect.
Then God went one step further to let us know that we are made in His image.
- God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Gen 2:7
God shared His breath with us. He breathed life and love into Adam's lungs, and the first image bearer was made. This act of God's breath of life in our lungs is a powerful reminder of our intimate relationship with Him and our eternal nature.
As we all know, things quickly changed, and sin and shame brought darkness to the earth, tarnishing our ability to be image bearers. But God, in His sovereignty, had a plan to redeem us. JESUS came to earth, showing us how to love God and others. His mission was to restore our ability to be image bearers. Jesus not only restored our intimate relationship with God and the promise of eternity with Him, but He also went one step further.
- Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said," Receive the Holy Spirit." John 20:21-22
In John 20:22, we see Jesus, God in the flesh, mirroring the creation story. Just as God breathed the breath of life into Adam, Jesus breathes spiritual life into His disciples. Through His words and breath, we are once again called into our purpose to go out into the world and be a light in the darkness, share the Good News, and bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit with all we encounter. As people made in the image of God, we are called to be a reflection of Our Father, Our Savior, and the Holy Spirit doing their will and bringing heaven to earth.
