By Him And For Him
Updated: Mar 22
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27, NIV)
You are His workmanship. You are the handiwork of the Creator. Here are my thoughts on that...
HANDMADE BY GOD
In Genesis 2:7, 21-22, we see the amazing narrative of the creation of man and woman. God formed them with his hands. He breathed life into them. He designed them in his own image.
Look at what the writers of the Gospel Project for Kids had to say about being made in the God's image:
"We cannot know exactly what is meant by that phrase, but we can know that it does not mean physical form. God is spirit (see John 4:24), so we are not made with a body like God’s body; He has no body. Instead, being made in God’s image suggests we have attributes that separate us from the rest of creation (such as our ability to reason, our morality, our will, and our emotions) and allow us to show glimpses of what God is like." (emphasis added)
No other creature on earth was or is created in this way. Even now, we can see the hand of God at work in the creation of every person conceived in the womb. King David said as much when he acknowledged God's creative power in Psalm 139.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." (Psalm 139:13-16, NIV)
The intimate details of who you are were designed by God for your good and his glory. And I believe that should bring us to a place of worship. Think about this...
You can stand in awe and wonder at the special care God took in making each and every detail of who you are. You can and should praise him for that. (Ps. 139:14)
This also means he is not aloof. He cares about the big and small things in your life. (1 Peter 5:7)
It can also help you to see your strengths and weaknesses in a different light. Not as a source of pride or shame, but a roadmap of how to best bring glory to God based on how he designed you. (2 Corinthians 12:10)
FOR A PURPOSE
The other part of the creation of man and woman that I love is that they were made for a purpose. Several times in the narrative, we see Adam and Eve are given commands:
Have children, Genesis 1:28
Rule over the created animals and fish of the sea, Gen. 1:28
Work the garden and take care of it, Gen. 2:15
You and I have a purpose as well:
To do good works: "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Eph. 2:10)
To bring God glory: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Cor. 10:31)
To have a relationship with him: "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
We can do none of these things on our own. However, God has made a way through his Son, for us to be what he created us to be.
REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE
Sometimes before I head out the door, I will tell my kids, "Remember who you are. You are a Doebler!" They smile and say, "Daaaad!" But it's a good reminder that they belong to someone. They are a part of a family that's unique and special, and it brings value to their lives.
Today I want to say this to you...
Remember who you are. You are a creation of God. You are made in his image. You are made to glorify God. You are known by him. You are loved. You Are His!
Let's pray.
God, thank you for creating me in your image. Thank you for making a way for me, through your Son, to fulfill the purpose you have for me. Help me to remember who I am in you. Thank you for loving and designing me. I praise you today. In Jesus' name, Amen!