Have you ever looked in a mirror and wondered, “Who am I? What’s my purpose? Does my life have meaning?” These are big questions, questions that every person asks at some point. Our key verses today give us some amazing answers.
Genesis 1:27, right at the beginning of the Bible, tells us, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” And 2 Corinthians 5:17, in the New Testament, says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
These verses tell us that we are created with a special connection to God, and that through Jesus, we can become completely new. Let’s explore what it means to be “created in God’s image.”
Think about a time you saw your reflection in a mirror. What you saw was an image of yourself. Genesis 1:27 tells us that we are created in God’s image. This doesn’t mean we look exactly like God physically, but it means we share some of His qualities. What are some of God’s qualities? He is loving, creative, wise, and relational. Because we are created in His image, we also have the capacity for these things. We can love, create, learn, and build relationships. This gives us a special dignity and worth. We are not just accidents; we are created with a purpose.
Being created in God’s image sets us apart from everything else God created. Animals don’t have the same capacity for complex thought, for moral choices, or for a relationship with God. We are unique. We are special. It’s like being a masterpiece of art. A painter puts a part of themselves into their painting. In the same way, God put a part of Himself into us. This gives us immense value.
2 Corinthians 5:17 talks about becoming a “new creation” in Christ. This happens when we believe in Jesus and follow Him. It’s not just about changing our behavior; it’s about becoming a new person on the inside. Think about a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. It’s a complete transformation. That’s what happens to us spiritually when we come to Christ. The old, broken parts of ourselves are replaced with something new and beautiful. We are given a new identity.
Understanding that we are created in God’s image and made new in Christ helps us to see our true worth. We are not defined by our mistakes, our failures, or what other people say about us. We are defined by God. We are valuable because God created us. We are loved because He sent His Son, Jesus, to make us new. We have a purpose because He has a plan for our lives.
This understanding changes everything. It affects how we see ourselves, how we treat others, and how we live our lives. We can walk with confidence, knowing that we are loved and valued by God. We can treat others with respect, recognizing that they too are created in His image. We can live with purpose, knowing that God has a plan for us, and He empowers us to fulfill it.