Image Bearer

Image Bearer
Did you know that you are made in the image of God? Genesis 1:26-27 says “God said, Let Us (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the (tame) beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
So what does this mean that we are made in the image of God? Do we look like God? Act like God? Feel like God feels? Actually that is up to us. Do we look like God? Yes, although God is no doubt taller and more grand than I am. If I put my hand up against His hand, His would no doubt engulf my little hand, but I am made in His image. Do I act like God? Hopefully, but that is truly up to me. I can read in the Bible about what God is like. How did He react when the Israelites abandoned Him for other gods? He was angry and hurt. That sounds like how I would feel if I were abandoned by the people who were supposed to love me. Does God love? Most definitely. In fact, God is love. He exudes love. As I read the Bible of the times He showed His mighty love and care for those who loved Him and even for those who hated Him, I learn how I should act in love. I am made in His image. I should be doing my utmost to act as He would act. Do I feel what God feels? Yes, God is the one who created me and my emotions. He doesn’t want me to squelch my emotions. He wants me to feel them, but He also wants me to use love in my emotional health. As I read of how Jesus loved the very soldiers who were cruelly beating Him and trying their best to put Him to death, I learn what true love really means. I learn that people matter, and that hurting people hurt people. And even though I am not expected to allow people to hurt me, I can still love those people and pray for their deliverance. This is what I do when I am operating in the image in which I was created. I encourage you to take the time to read the Bible and learn of who God is. Learn of His personality and of His great love for you. You were created to be like Him. As you learn of who God is, it will help you to know who you are. You were created in His image. If you ask Jesus to come into your heart and desire to live for Him, You become His child. Now every day you can spend time renewing your mind reading the Bible and in prayer as you become more and more like Him- whose image you bear.