50 most important teachings of the Bible

#5 - Every person is Created in God’s image

Genesis 1:26–27 ESV

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

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1 Corinthians 15:49 ESV

49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

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2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV

18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

The 50 Most Important Teachings of The Bible: What They Mean for You 5. Every Person Is Created in God’s Image

Accepting the fact God is our Creator is a basic step of faith.

The 50 Most Important Teachings of The Bible: What They Mean for You 5. Every Person Is Created in God’s Image

The first words of any book are extremely important, for they set the theme for the book. When the Bible opens by saying, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1), that lets us know immediately that God, as Creator, is a key focal point of everything that follows

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By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command...

Hebrews 11:3 ESV

3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

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God’s image does not refer to physical qualities. God did not create us exactly like Himself—for example, God has no physical body. Instead, we are a reflection of His character. Like God, we have the ability to communicate, to reason, to love, to have patience, to be faithful, and to forgive others.

Obviously we will never be totally like God because He is God—the Supreme Being—and we are not. But when we live as He desires for us to live, we reflect His character to a watching world.

God’s image in us means we belong to Him

Jesus defined what it means to belong to God when He said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind” (Luke 10:27).

Are you giving God all that is rightfully His? Give God your heart and life—you bear His image!

God’s image is the basis for human self-worth

What does this mean to you?

Knowing you are a person of worth in God’s eyes should prompt you to praise God as the psalmist did. And knowing God loves you should excite you to want to be a positive spiritual influence on others.

God’s image is important in human relationships.

This “image” gives man morality, reason, creativity, and worth. When we interact with other people, we are interacting with other beings made by God—beings to whom God offers the gift of eternal life. Under ideal circumstances, this common characteristic should enhance our relationships.

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But with mankind’s fall into sin, God’s image in man became distorted—it became warped and twisted. The farther away man moved from God in his sinful behavior, the dimmer that image appeared. Jesus’ payment for sin on the cross made it possible for a broken relationship with God to be restored:

What Does This Mean for You?Being made in God’s image is a great privilege. Of all God’s creation, only mankind was created in His image. Because you bear God’s image, He has a claim on your life. Rejoice in your relationship with God. Embrace your likeness to Him. And purpose to learn more about your Creator. Begin today by taking time to worship Him, and commit yourself to gladly living in a way that reflects His image.