Created in His Image

Created in His Image
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. —Genesis 1: 26-27
Why would God want to create us in His image? He did so because He desired a loving, meaningful relationship with us. Because God is love, He gave us the capacity to love. Because He is self-determinate, He gave us the capacity to choose. He made us able to love and choose, so that we could bring Him pleasure—not only receiving His love, but choosing to love Him in return. Many people choose not to love God. In doing so, they fail to respond to the very purpose of their existence and should not be surprised when life feels empty, frustrating, and worthless.
**Choice is a wonderful thing, but it can also bring devastating consequences.
The exercise of man’s free choice in the garden brought about a fall from God’s image. It brought spiritual death, and caused man to live like an animal—absorbed only in satisfying his physical appetites. But man can never be satisfied relating to the animal kingdom. He can find real contentment only when he has a relationship with God. Jesus came for that purpose. He took our sin and died in our place. He now offers another choice—we can live a life in the Spirit in fellowship with Him, or continue the life of the flesh, which leads to death and alienation. Choose carefully, for God honors our choices.
Father, thank You that as we behold Your glory, we are being changed into Your image by the Holy Spirit who works within us. Amen.