Seeing Ourselves in God’s Image
MAIN PASSAGE: Genesis 1:1 – 31
A. IMAGE – Webster definition: 1: a reproduction or imitation of the form of a person or thing;
(1) What does the Bible mean when it speaks of God’s image?
Key Bible Text: Genesis 1:26 – 28 (NASB), “26Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
(2) Being made in God’s image refers to characteristics that God shares with us. God obviously did not create us exactly like himself, because God has no physical body when He first created man (Adam and Eve). Jesus later on did take on our physical form as the God-man (John 1:1, John 10:30, 2 Corinthians 5:21). I believe the word teaches that it is our entire self that reflects the image of God. (Psalms 139:14, “I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.”) We do have the ability to reflect His character in our love, patience, forgiveness, kindness, and faithfulness as evidenced in the fruits of the spirit-filled life. (See Galatians 5:22-23)
(3) God’s image is the basis for human self-worth (also known as self-esteem). Knowing that we are made in God’s image and thus share many of his characteristics provides a solid basis for self-worth. John 3:16-17 is a great illustration of our worth.
(4) God’s image is shared equally by women and men. Remember Genesis 1: 27.
(5) God’s image is an important factor in all human relationships.
Key Bible Text: Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man. (Genesis 9:6, niv) Please read Genesis 9:1-7.
Here God explains why murder is so wrong: To kill a person is to kill one made in God’s image. God desires that we interact with others. When believers interact with other believers, this is fellowship. (Hebrews 10:24-25).
(6) God’s image in us means that we belong to him, those of us who are Believers.
Key Bible Text: They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him. (Mark 12:16-17, niv) *Read Mark 12:13-17.
The Pharisees and Herodians thought they had the perfect question to trap Jesus. Jesus said that the coin bearing the emperor’s image should be given to the emperor. But our life, which bears God’s image, belongs to God. Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
(7) God’s image is displayed in His Son, Jesus Christ. This is whom we should want to model. “Christian” means Christ Like or little Christ. There are also other meanings and associative terms but you get the drift!
Colossians 2:8-10, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.”
If you don’t have a personal relationship, here is the Gospel presented in the book of Romans (also called the Romans Road).
Also John 3:16-17 are some great verses. Especially pay attention to verse 17 since this shows you God’s love toward you.
(1) “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”, Romans 3:23
(2) “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”, Romans 6:23
(3) “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”, Romans 5:8
(4) “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” Romans 10:9-10
(5) OUR PROMISE: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 (Eph 2:8-9 are wonderful verses as well)
(*sidenote: The whole chapter of Romans 8 is great for all of us to read, study and reflect on, since it covers our new position in Christ and there is no longer any condemnation.)