Then God said, “Let Us create man in our image, after our likeness.” Genesis 1:26

I think this is foundational. We – every person – are created in the image and likeness of God. We reflect the image of God like a mirror and are being transformed into the same image (2 Corinthians 3:18). That is who we are; image bearers of Yahweh.

We do not become image-bearers when we accept Jesus into our hearts, or say the sinner’s prayer. We were created with his image already there. That is part of our identity.

It may be poetic license on my part, but I tend to say that we have God’s DNA within us.

What this means to me is that each person has the ability to reflect God to the world. Each person is imbued with the respect and dignity of being a child of God. From the panhandler on the street to the President with opposite views, they will all reflect God’s image at times. Even if they do not know God, they cannot help but reflect this image because it is part of them.

Some people work hard to suppress this image, but it is still there. I don’t have to ‘fix’ or ‘save’ them, I just have to love them and allow that seed to grow. You may never see the fruits of your labor… But God sees it (I would say he loves you for your effort, but he loves you either way).

It helps all my interactions with people when I remind myself that they deserve dignity and respect because they carry the DNA of the King. They were made to be the image of God.

It also helps to remind myself that I carry this same DNA. When I am down, I can say to myself:

“I am not a ________(loser, bad father, failure, etc.). I was created to bear God’s image to the world.”

There is a Jewish proverb that says, “Before every person walks an angel announcing, ‘Behold, the Image of God.’”

You can live each day being what the world says you are, or you can live into what the Creator of the world created you to be. Reflect His Glory!