CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE Part 3

BARBARA E. PERKINS

CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE
Part 3
God’s word declared that we are made in His image, according to His likeness (Genesis 1:26-27 [NKJV]).  But, why did He create us?  In Part 2, we saw from God’s word why He created us—to do good works, to bring Him glory, to offer spiritual sacrifice to God, and to offer Him praise.  Dominion was lost by mankind in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve were deceived by the serpent (satan), committing the ultimate sin, instead of obeying God who had given them everything.  But, in spite of all that was lost in the Garden, Jesus came to Earth and restored everything that satan had taken away, making it possible for mankind to get back into a right relationship with God.  This was something that man could never do (Hebrews 10:5-10).  Now through Jesus Christ, we are able to fulfill God’s plan for our lives.  An equally significant Scripture is in Matthew 28:18-20 that sums up another very important reason why God created us.  “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘ALL AUTHORITY has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.”  Jesus Christ said, GO, MAKE DISCIPLES for Almighty God and teach them everything I have taught you.  We are God’s ambassadors on assignment (2 Corinthians 5:20).  But, to do what God created us to do requires us to walk in love (Ephesians 5:2).  Jesus said it this way in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  35 By this all will know that you are my disciples, IF you have love for one another.”  Then later, Jesus made a declaration to one of His disciples in John 14:9, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father (God)…”  We should be able to say the same thing, especially, since God created us in His image and His likeness—with godly character.  We have to continually strive to be like Jesus Christ, like God—our Creator.  However, we cannot be all that God wants us to be without inviting Jesus Christ (redeemer of mankind), God’s Son, into our hearts to be our Lord and Savior (John 3:16).  Praise God because our story is continuing to unfold in the Book Revelation 4:11, where we see the twenty-four elders fall down (showing homage) before Almighty God and worshipping Him saying, “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”  It was Almighty God’s loving will to create man and woman in His image, the purpose was and still is today, for us to live our lives in such a way that brings glory, honor and praise to Him.  PRAISE the LORD!

Would you like to be saved and develop a relationship with God as your Heavenly Father?  If you would really like to know God, invite His Son, Jesus Christ, into your heart.  Please pray this prayer:  Dear God, please forgive me of my sins.  I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is Your Son.  I believe that He died on the cross, shed His blood, and rose from the grave for my salvation.  I confess Jesus right now as my Savior and Lord.  God fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can live a life that pleases You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!  If you prayed this prayer and meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved.  Welcome into God’s Family!