Made in His Image

What comes to mind when you hear the words image bearer? Do you think it means you kind of look like someone? That you carry some small semblance of them in your features? Perhaps, it makes you think you are a walking picture-perfect replica of another human.  

Now, when someone tells you that you are God’s image bearer, does that definition shift?  

That question carries a little more weight, doesn’t it? It should because we are all God’s image bearers. Mankind is made in his image. Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created them in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” 

In his own image.  

The one true king, the creator of all, took the time to craft us all in His image. We have been gifted God’s unending capacity for love, mercy, justice, and compassion. We have been handed his desire to care for the world he lovingly created just as he lovingly cares for us. God craves a relationship with us as we should crave a relationship with him. We were crafted with his capacity and yearning for relationship, and we should crave relationship with others.  

Relationship is how we build His kingdom. It isn’t by memorizing more scripture than the next person. The kingdom doesn’t get bigger simply because you go to church every Sunday without fail. We don’t gain more brothers and sisters in Christ by hosting events for the people who go to church. The kingdom grows when we follow Jesus’ example and build relationships with those both inside and outside of our normal circles.  

Jesus met people where they were. He didn’t insist they come to his church building or set specific times to hold service. NO! He moved through the world dining with sinners in their homes, healing people on the streets, and teaching lessons wherever his feet drew him. Shouldn’t we be doing the same?  

If we aren’t building relationships with people, meeting them where they are, and inviting them into the folds of our lives, are we truly upholding the image of God? If we aren’t reaching out to those in need, offering time from our lives to really get to know them, are we reflecting the image God has placed upon us? We all want to hear “well done my good and faithful servant” but we are serving as Jesus did?