How “Being Created in the Image of God” Changes Everything
In a world that constantly tells us our value is tied to our success, appearance, or status, Scripture offers a radically different truth: You are created in the image of God.
“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)
Every part of you—body, spirit, and soul—was intentionally crafted to reflect and represent your Creator.
1. Your Body Is Sacred
In a culture that often reduces the body to something to display or use, Scripture reminds us that our physical selves are far more than skin and bone. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.”
Your body is where God’s presence dwells. Think about that: just as the ancient temple was filled with God’s glory, your life becomes a holy sanctuary. Whether you’re worshiping, working, or just breathing, your physical existence carries divine dignity. Even your brain’s complexity and your ability to cry tears of emotion are signs of intelligent, intentional design by your Creator.
2. Your Spirit Is God-Breathed
In Genesis 2:7, God breathes life into humanity. This isn’t just physical respiration; it’s spiritual animation. Unlike any other creature, humans are uniquely capable of communing with God.
Your spirit is what enables you to worship, to pray, to sense God’s presence, and to respond to His voice. As Romans 8:16 puts it, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Like a radio tuned to a specific frequency, your spirit is designed to connect with God—and it won’t find rest until it does.
3. Your Soul Reflects God’s Heart
Your soul is the center of your personhood—the place where body and spirit come together to form your unique identity. It’s what makes you morally conscious, creative, self-aware, and capable of deep love. It’s why you can ask questions like, “Why am I here?” and “What’s my purpose?”
Here’s the answer: Your purpose is to reflect the heart of God in the world.
That reflection isn’t perfect; sin has fractured it. Like a mirror with cracks, we still reflect God’s image, but in broken and distorted ways. That’s why we need salvation. Through the process of sanctification, God is actively restoring us—mending every crack so His image can shine through us more clearly.
What does that look like in real life? It means aligning your life with His redemptive work in the world by pursuing life with Him. The more you abide in His Word, the more He will lead you to pursue His work in the lives of others by speaking truth in love, healing the broken, contending for the faith, and passing the faith to others.
You don’t need a platform—just a willing heart. Whether you’re parenting, working, studying, mentoring, or serving, you are reflecting God’s image in the world. You carry His heart into every space you inhabit.
Why Imago Dei Matters
Being made in God’s image means:
- You have built-in value. Your worth isn’t defined by your past, your job, or your achievements. It comes from the One who made you.
- You have a calling. Like living statues of a King, your life points to who is really in charge—God. Every act of love, integrity, and kindness reflects Him.
- You were made for relationship. Just as God exists in relationship—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—you were made to connect deeply with Him and with others, especially in Christian community.
You’re not an accident. You’re not forgotten. You are designed with purpose, dignity, and divine potential.
This post is inspired by message two of our “What We Believe” sermon series entitled “Created in the Image of God” by Dr. Jody Ray. Want to explore more about what Christians believe and why it matters? Buy a copy of our book, “What We Believe: Built on the Word, Anchored in Christ.”