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The Bible says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). In Genesis 1:27 it says, “So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.” This is the purpose of life—to know God and become like Him in character (Romans 8:29).

You didn’t make you, so you don’t know what’s best for you. God made us in His image, but all too often we’ve used our God-given abilities as a bridge to get what we want—to feed our lusts instead of loving Him. So, what does it mean to be made in the “image of God” and how do we develop more into this? Here is a good place to start.

We are made in His image:

Spiritually

God is a spirit and we can communicate with Him by praying. “God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Prayer is talking to God with an open and honest heart.

Morally

Like God, we have the capacity to discern between good and evil “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14).

Artistically

We have also been given the ability to create using our skills and imagination. “I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts” (Exodus 31:3-5). “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). How God made us is how He wants to use us!

Relationally

We are designed to love God and others; the ability to socialize, encourage, empathize, and express emotions comes directly from Him. “’Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’ Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets’” (Matthew 22:36-40, NKJV).

Thoughtfully

God has granted us the opportunity to reason through the use of critical thinking and problem solving abilities. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2). “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5, KJV).

Therefore, the goal of all humankind is to righteously reflect this image of God, just as the moon reflects the “image” of the sun. May the Lord help us to renew our minds and walk by His Spirit. What does this look like?

Eternity is a long time to be wrong. Everyone is going to live somewhere forever. Do you know where you will be living?

The Bible says that “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

So how do you call on the name of the Lord? It’s as easy as ABC:

Pray now in your own words with a sincere heart in this way below and receive eternal life.

Admit that you have made mistakes (sinned) “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Believe that Jesus died to pay the penalty your sin deserves, then rose again, overcoming death (Romans 10:9). The Bible declares that He was seen by over 500 witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:6)!

Confess that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9). Submit and turn your whole life’s control over to Him (John 3:16).

"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9, NKJV).

What do you do now? Take these next steps:

Scripture—Read your Bible every day (See Psalm 119).

Take time for prayer—Prayer is simply talking to God (Philippians 4:6-7).

Evangelize—Share the Good News of salvation with others (Acts 1:8).

Participate in a Bible Study with other Christians—Fellowship! (Acts 2:42).

Serve the Lord with your natural talents, acquired skills, and spiritual gifts (Ephesians 2:10).

Love in Jesus, Tom Tofilon (Pastor :)
Author of "Praying to God Our Father"

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