January 1: Created in God’s image

Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, after our likeness, so they may rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move on the earth.” God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.  (Genesis 1:26,27 — New English Translation)

We are made in the image and likeness of God; we have not descended from animals or from lower life forms. God created animals, plants, and all other things, but when He created us, He made us like Himself. We have the ability to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him. God’s original plan is that we live forever in His presence.

A part of being made in His image is that we were made to have authority and rule over the earth. All of creation was put under us by God; we were made to be God’s partners — to rule over His creation. Psalm 8 says this about mankind: “You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor."

But Adam and Eve rebelled against God. Their disobedience caused humankind to fall from its high place. The rule and authority that rightly belonged to man was handed over to Satan (because we are servants of the one we obey). God’s image and likeness in people was ruined and defaced by sin, and Satan and demons began to dominate and oppress them. People back then, and even today, are trapped in a world where they have little control over events and what happens to them.

But the Lord Jesus changed all that. In the book of Hebrews He is even called the Second Adam — the one who came to undo all the damage of the first Adam. Through His death and resurrection humankind can reestablish its connection to God, and enjoy His image and likeness again. When we place our trust in Jesus, and obey Him, because He defeated the devil, we begin to share in that victory. 

What belonged to Adam and Eve in the first few chapters of the Bible, and was lost, can now be ours again through Jesus’ sacrifice, and our obedience to Him. Let’s do this as we begin 2014. Discover your rightful place in this world.