The God who Relates

The Relational God
Genesis 1:26-31
“Let us make man in our image.”

If Genesis 1:1 defines God’s relationship with creation, Genesis 1:26 defines our relationship with God. In an act of unparalleled generosity, the God who creates the universe with a spoken word has given us an unsurpassed gift. In an act of mindboggling grace, the God of the universe gave us something that is not shared with any other created being, including the majestic angels who dwell in the throne room of heaven. Yet, for all the marvels of his creative works, he chose the most unlikely being to bestow the greatest gift of all—the gift of himself. He imparted to us his divine image. The psalmist captures the marvel of this gift when he writes, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, what is man that you take thought of him” (Psalm 8:3-4).  
The reality of God’s divine image implanted in us is what distinguishes humanity from all other created beings. It is what gives supreme value to every person. Every person has value, regardless of race, social standing, or personal abilities and accomplishments. Each person, male and female, from the unborn baby in the womb to the frail and broken elderly in a nursing home, has infinite value, not because of their abilities or skills or intellect, but simply because each person is a divine image bearer. The person God who exists in the divine community of the Trinity invites us to become participants in that relationship. Not that we become God, but we are invited to be in a special relationship with God. In placing his image upon us, he reveals himself as the personal God who desires to share himself with us. Not because he is lonely or unfulfilled, but because he chooses to reveal himself to us. The benefits of this relationship are entirely one-sided. He gains nothing, but we gain everything.
It is this gift that distinguishes all humanity from animals and even the angels. Yet, Here is the irony and tragedy. We devalue humanity and elevate animals. An egg of an endangered bald eagle or golden eagle is given more legal standing than the infant still in the womb. God values and relates to us as divine image bearers from the moment of conception. Even in the womb, God cares and establishes a personal relationship with us (Psalm 139:13-16). Even in the womb, we are his workmanship (Jeremiah 1:5). The tragedy of abortion is that it destroys human life and devalues all humanity by denying God’s divine image imprinted upon us. When we deny personhood to the unborn baby, we deny personhood to all humanity.
This image is more than just an invitation to enter a personal relationship with him; it is a calling to reflect him. It is what gives us identity, meaning, and purpose. Our identity is found in him and the manifestation of him as he works in us and through us. Yet, in our rebellion, we no longer strive to become like him; instead, we strive to make him like us. Instead of transforming into his image, we make him after our image. We were not content merely to possess God’s image, we wanted to supplant him and make ourselves God. Therefore, we rejected the greatest gift he could give (Genesis 3).
Yet, despite our rebellion and rejection of him, God did not give up on us. He still desires to reflect his image in us. He provided salvation and redemption through Christ so we might rediscover our identity in Christ and reflect his image. Sin distorted that image, but Christ seeks to restore his image in us.
Do you struggle with your self-worth? Do you feel devalued and rejected by others? Instead of striving to find your worth and identity in yourself, in your abilities or your accomplishments, or the opinion of others, find your value and identity in Christ. Ask Christ to reflect his image in you. Then you will discover God’s purpose for you—to reflect his image and live in a relationship with the triune God.