Sanctification of Life

IN HIS IMAGE ()

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

FIRST THOUGHTS

Because God created humans in His image, every life has value, regardless of age, gender, race, or nationality. Being made in God’s image, we are to affirm the value of every person and protect all human life—including those in their mother’s womb. Truly, being created in God’s image is more than a privilege; it is a responsibility. Maintaining that image in our lives and helping others maintain that image is a difficult, lifelong process.

This is why we must oppose oppression and prejudice of all kinds—we are equally made in God’s image, and we all have equal worth. This eliminates racism and other forms of hatred as acceptable conduct for God’s people.

is the creation account. The verb created occurs six times in this passage. Two mark the beginning and the ending of the passage (1:1; 2:3). Three of the five are in verse 27. The only other occurrence concerns the initiation of animal life (1:21). The Hebrew verb occurs in the Old Testament only with God as its subject. Only God can create. Everything owes its existence to God alone, and the greatest creation of God was life. The pinnacle of God’s creative effort was the creation of human life.

is the climax of the creation narrative. God brought the physical universe into existence simply by saying, “Let there be …” (,,,). Periodically, God paused to evaluate His work. On each occasion He concluded that His creation was “good” (1:10,12,18,21,25). After everything else was complete, God created humanity. He created people “in the image of God.” God then made a final survey of His creation and pronounced it “very good” (1:31).

As believers, we are to affirm the value of every person as being created in God’s image. This is why we must oppose oppression and prejudice of all kinds—we are equally made in God’s image, and we all have equal worth. This eliminates racism and other forms of hatred as acceptable conduct for God’s people.

is the climax of the creation narrative. God brought the physical universe into existence simply by saying, “Let there be …” (,,,). Periodically, God paused to evaluate His work. On each occasion He concluded that His creation was “good” (1:10,12,18,21,25). After everything else was complete, God created humanity. He created people “in the image of God.” God then made a final survey of His creation and pronounced it “very good” (1:31).

The New King James Version Chapter 5

Murder

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.