In the beginning man is made in the image and likeness of God by God. Unique in creation men and women are created a shadow or an outline baring some of God’s characteristics like love, mercy, justice, wisdom, compassion, and free will.

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26-27 ESV

God’s Image

God creates in “our image” demonstrating from the very beginning the singular God exists as three persons the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. “Our image” also makes mankind uniquely special in all of creation. God does not waste himself and he cannot be mocked so however one treats fellow men reflects then on how they would treat God.  Have you ever stolen from , lied to, or even simply called another person “stupid” in a derogatory way? Then you have trespassed not just against man but the image of God who is the source of our very being.

7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. James 3:9 ESV

Racism is an Attack on God

The reason racism is such an evil is that any person who disparages another group because of physical characteristics is disparaging God himself. Racism is rooted in Darwinist worldviews where evolution is used to justify racism. Other groups, using the logic of evolutionary worldviews, are not fully man because they have not evolved enough. Also according to this logic man is in the image of animals therefore they may be treated as less than a creation in God’s image. Such thinking is evil as is the Darwinist view that there is no God. People regardless of intellect, opportunity, or being inside a womb are all still men created in God’s image. How can one pray to God on one hand and then hate God’s image bearer in the other?

God created men and women to worship him. God created the stars that men would look up and dwell on spiritual things. That we might marvel at the infinite scope of God’s power. By looking up one might draw near to the creator. But we spend too much time looking down and marveling at our own creations. Worshiping our own marvels like buildings, technology, sports, governments, business, money, doctors, and power. Interestingly in modern times as we light up the night in cities and suburbs the stars fade away. Sadly light pollution obscures them from the sky. Look at the stars. Ponder their creation! We are cut off from God’s creation the beast of the field, the seeds of the land, and the light of the heavens. This creates a warped view of who we are.

8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Acts 14:8-16 ESV

God the Creator not god the Created

Paul performed a sign, God is here!, and the community was so impressed they assigned Paul to the likeness of a man-made super hero or god. Super hero aside Paul is pointing them to God the creator not god the created. Alas the community missed the sign because they were enamored of their own creation. Now is the time that we might turn to the living God. A living God who created the heavens and earth and all that is in them. The living God who is alive and active. We are obligated to him because he is the author. Who is God? God is the Creator and everything was made by and him and for him. Is it time to accept who you are in God’s creation?

Thank you for reading. I pray this encourages you in your own devotional or small group bible study.