Everyone seems to be on a quest to answer the foundational question—Who Am I? We look to countless things to determine who we are, because we know that who we are must have something to do with our purpose and worth. We search for, buy, and assign value to ourselves, trying to tell others who we are and why we matter.
In the Bible, we find the most wonderful answer to that question—an answer more precious and profound than you will find anywhere else.
What Does the Bible Say About Humanity?
In the first chapter of the Bible we hear the beginning of a story, and although the first character on the scene is God, our appearance in the story quickly follows.
The opening line tells us that “in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1), and it relays how God sung the world into existence, from planets to plant life (Genesis 1:2-25). Then the melodic line of that song alters. The story slows. And we hear God say: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Genesis 1:26).
So God made man in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27 ESV)
God formed the first man with his own hands and shared his life-breath with him (Genesis 2:7). He spoke to the man, forming a relationship with him that he had with no other creature (Genesis 2:16). But this man was alone, so God created a woman. He created them both to reflect his glory uniquely. Then, he blessed them.
So who are we? We are God's image bearers—embodied beings crafted intentionally by our Maker to relate to him, rule in his world, reflect his glory, and represent him to one another (Genesis 1:28). What a wonder!
What Does It Mean That We Are Made in God's Image?
Being made in God’s image ultimately means that in some way we are especially dear to God, more so than any other part of his creation in a distinct way.
This is true of you, and it’s true of every other person you meet. All people are precious to God, male and female—from conception to the grave, from north to south, from the strong to the weak.
You are not merely wonderfully made; you are worthy of respect. And if we take God’s Word to heart—and this reality—then we will also see those around us as wonderfully made, and without qualifiers, as worthy of utmost respect.
As people made in the image of God, we are especially responsible to God and to one another. We were created with a role no other part of creation has—to reflect God’s glory and rule with him over his creation. We were created with a capacity unlike any other part of creation—to relate to God and to one another in loving fellowship.
What Went Wrong?
You might think that the world you’re a part of is a far cry from this biblical vision. The world is filled with people acting in all sorts of ways that do not reflect the character of God. Perhaps that’s part of why our ideas of him are so messed up.
So, what went wrong?
