January 21 - Image of God

Did you know that God’s heart toward humanity, is that all human life would matter deeply. When God created mankind, he made them in his image. 

 

Genesis 1:27 -

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

 

God created mankind to represent him. And not only to represent him, but to resemble him. Any disrespect of this is a blatant disrespect to God the creator! 

 

Yet after Cain killed Able, there was murder happening all the time. In fact, this was one of the main reasons for the flood. Mankind only thought evil and then acted upon it without thinking. This was played out in disrespect for human beings. 

 

How do I know this? 

 

After the food, we see the first redemption of mankind. 

 

God saved Noah and his family. They were placed on a the ark in order to survive the destruction of the earth. Remember what I said about the flood? It was bringing creation back to the beginning of the creation narrative. The waters rose to the highest heights of the earth, and once again God began to separate them. 

 

After the floods, God allowed for dry ground, and then a sign of vegetation. And upon releasing the animals from the ark, God gave a command to the creatures once again. 

 

Genesis 8:17 - Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you-the birds, the animals, and all the craters that move along the ground-so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number on it.” 

 

This echoes the creation narrative and God commanding all things to be fruitful and multiply. Once again the order for animals was reset and they were released to fulfill the role in creation God originally designed them to hold. 

 

But then he reset mankind’s role in creation and in so doing, also reestablished the sanctity of human life. 

 

This is found in Genesis 9:1-7

 

Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands. Everything that lives and m over about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. 

 

“But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still init. And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being. 

 

“Whoever sheds human blood, 

By humans shall their blood be shed;

For in the image of God 

Has God made mankind.”

 

As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.”

 

What was God’s reasoning for his wrath? 

 

Human selfishness had caused a loss of respect of human life. God was disrespected, and the result was that humanity lost respect for the image of God. So God reset things and made sure to spell out this simple command. . . 

 

No one shall shed human blood! It is meant to be protected because it is in the image of God. 

 

When we disrespect human life, we are disrespecting God! 

 

Humanity was designed to represent the creator. Our job is to protect humanity because when we do, we are protecting the image of the creator! 

 

The fastest way to honor God, is to honor the piece of creation that he placed his image in. That means honoring all people from all backgrounds and ethnicities. When we disrespect people, we disrespect the thoughtful intent and beauty through which God chose to demonstrate his goodness and character to the rest of creation. 

 

For this reason, all life matters. . . Anything other than this attitude, would revert back to the mentality prior to the flood. We have to be people who defend humanity! 

 

God instructed it because it matters to him! This is proof that God’s heart is for all people. He would do anything it takes to make sure that people are protected. Including flood the earth in order to stop the disrespect of human life.