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"Husband, father, grandpa, son, brother, teacher, sports fan." These are ways I might respond if someone were to ask me the question: "Who are you?" And while these things are true of me, they don't reach the heart of my identity.
There is a close connection between one's Identity and one's sense of value, worth, or significance. For years, my identity and my sense of worth were at least in part, tied to sports - particularly how I performed when playing them. If I performed well, I felt good about myself. If I performed poorly, I dwelt on my poor performance and thought less of myself. (I'd like to think that I've matured a little. Or perhaps I've simply become more realistic about my athletic ability at the age I am!)
People can base their identities on many things. Here are some possibilities: job title, performance in any given thing, physical appearance, clothes, relationships with other people, status, wealth, possessions, nation or cultural group, club or team, and religion. In addition, we dare not overlook the impact social media has on our sense of who we are. The number of "friends" "likes" and "followers" has become an obsession for many, and can greatly impact one's sense of identity and sense of worth.
My point is this: none of the things that I've listed above are worthy of being the basis of our identity. Why not? First of all, they aren't permanent. What happens to your sense of identity if you no longer have that job, that relationship, your money, or whatever else it may be that gives you your sense of identity? We need something lasting. Secondly, these things aren't true indicators of our identity. For example, performing well at something may give you or I a sense of worth or significance, but it does not somehow make us more valuable or give us greater significance. Those are lies based on the world's values.
Where do we go then, to discover our true identity and value? Wouldn't it make sense to go back to the beginning - to the very source of human life? Wouldn't we want to know what our creator says about us? After all, He is our creator! He did design us! In fact, He wrote the operation manual! Genesis 1:26 declares "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness... ." God tells us that He created us in His own image! It's the very first thing God says about human beings, and He repeats it in Scripture. (See Genesis 9:6, James 3:8-9.)
So, what does it mean to be made in the image of God? Here are some thoughts: God has given humans "a unique position in the created order" and "It separates us from the rest of creation."
We have been endowed with a unique combination of traits, including language, logic, creativity, and a desire for justice, mercy, and truth. Yet the Bible never equates the image of God with any single ability like intelligence or any combination of abilities, like creativity, love, and wisdom. Each one of us is God's image because God said so, no matter how smart or talented we are, no matter our health, skin shade, age, or gender. In fact, the Bible seems to emphasize that the image of God is a status that God Himself bestowed on us. It seems that the creator of heaven and earth gave man the distinct honour and responsibility of being His image, showing God's love on earth.1
John Piper writes that God created us to display, reflect, and communicate what He is like - how great He is. He describes human beings as mirrors that were designed to reflect God's glory and greatness.
Who are you? You are an individual created in the very image of God. That's who you are!
- What difference does that truth make to how you view yourself?
- How can you help those you lead, grasp the significance of being created in God's image?
How would you finish these sentences?
- "Since I am created in the image of God, today I will..."
- "Since every other person I meet today is created in God's image, I will..."
Notes:
- "Six Days & Other Biblical Perspectives," (Answers In Genesis DVD)
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