Who am I? In the last two posts (Part 1 and Part 2), we said that we are image-bearers of God – made in his likeness, we are like God is several ways. Here are three more implications of being image-bearers of God:

First, I am a reflection of God. I am made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27). An image is a reflection, a representation. I look in a mirror, and I see my image – it is a reflection of me. I take a picture of myself, and that picture is a reflection of me. In the same way, we are created to be pictures, representations, reflections of God. We are created to reflect God to others. In my thinking, I am to reflect God to others. In my relationships, I am to reflect God to others. In my work, I am to reflect God to others. In my rest, I am to reflect God to others. In my behavior, I am to reflect God to others. I am to point not to myself but to God. I am to live for his glory, not my own. As the moon reflects the light of the sun, so I am to reflect the glory of God.

Second, I am accountable to God. God commanded Adam not to eat of a certain tree, and if Adam disobeyed there would be dire consequences (Genesis 2:16-17). He was accountable to God. And so are we. All of us will one day have to answer to God. How well did I use my mind? How well did I love God and people? How well did I work? How well did I rest? How well did I live uprightly? How well did I reflect God in my everyday life, instead of creating my own image for people to see?

Third, I am valuable to God. Yes, I am a creature made from the dust, but I am also made in God’s image which gives me great value, great dignity. I bear the Creator’s image. As one poster I remember from childhood said, “God don’t make no junk.” This is where I find my identity – not in what others think of me, not in my circumstances, not in my accomplishments or failures – but in what God thinks of me. He made me in his image, and so I have value. He made you in his image, so you have value. And so we ought to respect one another.

As I am to respect God, so I am to respect people made in God’s image. James 3 warns us about blessing God and then turning around and cursing people made in his image. When I curse, insult, belittle, and make fun of people, I do the same to God. How often have we cursed God? We must respect one another as image-bearers of God – regardless of behavior, political leanings, sexual orientation, color of skin, economic status, or whatever tempts you to belittle another person. Everyone is an image-bearer of God, and so we must respect one another. That doesn’t mean we will always approve of what others do – often we won’t. But we must treat people with respect because they are made in God’s image.