The Image of God Genesis 1:14-31

On the sixth and final day of creation, the masterpiece of God’s handiwork is revealed. Mankind is made in God’s image. Men and women are made equally to represent God. Each gender, in its own unique and purposed way, reflects God’s nature. 

Like God, mankind is made with “a rational mind and an immortal soul. Humanity is endowed with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness.” Men and women are God’s kingly and priestly representatives on earth, called to steward and shape the King’s Garden. 

Even in our secular society, the truth of Genesis 1:26-27 shines forth. Our ideals of equality and compassion are predicated upon this Biblical doctrine. 

Sadly, the glorious image of God is defaced when Adam and Eve rebel against their Creator. Men and women “fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and so became dead in sin and wholly defiled in all the parts and faculties of soul, mind, and body.” Francis Schaeffer described humanity as “glorious ruins.” G. K. Chesterton once joked, “Certain new theologians dispute original sin, which is the only part of Christian theology that can really be proved.” 

Only when they see the image of God marred in us can we see the glory of Christ. Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Col. 1:15, 2 Cor. 4:4, Heb. 1:3). He came to restore the image of God in us by removing the guilt and pollution of our sin. (2 Cor. 3:18, Eph. 4:24, Col. 3:10). When we are united to Christ in our justification, adoption, and sanctification the image of God is made new.