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.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:26-28

What does it look like to be in God’s image?

We live in a culture that is obsessively physical and material. The landscape is littered with selfies and accomplishments, moments of external looks and achievements. It is no surprise that when we, reading with eyes shaped by our culture, see God’s Word and become rather confused. Man is made in God’s image; there is no doubt about that fact listed in Genesis 1. Where the water is muddy is in the midst of meaning. How does a man look like God?

Context is essential to consider here. Notice the very next phrase where God says, “and let them have dominion.” How we look like God is embedded not in physical appearance, but in authority. God is the One who oversees all creation, but He invites man to participate in stewardship. Twice the word dominion is mentioned. Not in a negative sense, as sin has tainted authority, but in the holiest and most appropriate way, man has been placed in a position to lead creation. Take care of what is around you, what God has put in your care because God invites man to care for what He has made.

DO THIS TODAY: Steward the resources within your control.