Creator, Father, King #29

God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

IN YESTERDAY’S DEVOTION, WE discussed mirrors, the wacky bed head you get at 6 a.m., and what it means to be created in God’s image (but mostly the latter!).

This foundational biblical truth of being created in God’s image leads to two other important questions:

• Why did God create us in his image?
• How should this affect the way we live?

We will consider the first question today and the second in tomorrow’s devotion. When we answer these two questions, many other mysteries about life and our existence on earth will come into focus.

What’s It Mean?

God created us to bring glory to his name. We see that very clearly from Bible passages such as Isaiah 43:6-7 and 1 Corinthians 10:31.

But all of creation brings God glory. The loftiest angels to the strangest creatures in the darkest ocean depths all bring praise to God (Psalm 148:2, 7). Look also at Psalm 19:1: “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.”

So if everything in the universe brings God glory, how are we, as humans, any different? Well, as we learned in yesterday’s devotion, only humans were created in God’s image. That’s incredibly significant.

God created us in his image to represent him on earth and do the work he’s called us to do—using the various gifts he’s given us for his glory. Being God’s image-bearers also means we can experience fellowship with him in a unique way. We can pray to him, enjoy his Spirit’s presence in our life, and call him our heavenly Father.

Finally, God also created humans in his image to receive glory through his eternal plan of redemption. He knew we would sin and imperfectly represent his image. So he decided to send his perfect Son—not an image of God, but God himself in human form—to pay for our sins.

Are you lying sprawled out on the floor right now? If not, why? Just kidding (sort of). But the point is, when we reflect on these truths, it should send us to our knees, if not literally then figuratively, in worship of our great God!

Now What?

Whatever you do, read tomorrow’s devotion to find out how to live as God’s image-bearer!

Did You Know?

The New Testament frequently talks about the Kingdom of God. This Kingdom doesn’t consist of kangaroos, killer whales, and kittens. It is made up of God’s image-bearers who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus!