Journeying in Genesis: Image Bearers

We’ve learned a lot about God’s brilliance, authority, greatness, and creativity through what He made. The next move on day six is eye opening. He is making something in His very own image; His likeness. Genesis 1:26 says,

“Then God said,

‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.

And 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.’”

What a responsibility! What a reminder of who we represent. Talk about the need to know who God really is, and what He requires of us.

When we look at another human, we do want to remember that we were made in God’s image. But this is not to the glory of humans. Our multiplying on the earth was meant to multiply the glory of God. (Our next post will look at this more closely, as we consider the effects of the fall.)

In Mark 12:15-17, Jesus was asked about paying taxes. He called for a denarius. Verses 16-17 say,

"And they brought one.

And he said to them, ‘Whose likeness and inscription is this?’

They said to him, ‘Caesar’s.’

Jesus said to them,

‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s,

and to God the things that are God’s.’

And they marveled at him.”

Marvelous indeed. This was not just about taxes. As image bearers of the Creator and Most High God, may we render our very selves to Him. 1 John 3:2 tells us that when Christ returns, those who have received His gift of salvation will be like Him, and we will see Him as He is. Image restored! Come quickly, Lord Jesus.