In the Image of God

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This sermon was given on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday and it emphasizes the biblical truth that all humans are created in the image of God and therefore sacred. An attempt is made to define what the image of God is and the reason why it is so important for a Christian view of life.

Written Excerpts:

Genesis 1:27 ^(NKJV) So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Introduction:

As noted at the beginning of today’s service, we are celebrating the Sanctity of Human Life today. Tomorrow marks the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, in 1973 which legalized abortion nationwide. Since then, the lives of approximately 60 million unborn children have been tragically terminated. 

One of the arguments used in favor of abortion has been to make sure that every child born is a “wanted child.” I clearly remember opinions expressed that if every child is a wanted child then it will hasten the end of child abuse. First of all, abortion is the ultimate form of child abuse! Secondly, Roe v. Wade hasn’t solved the problem of child abuse at all. In fact, by all appearance, it has been on the rise ever since.

Why? I’m convinced it is because you can’t devalue the life of human beings in the earliest stages of life without also impacting the value of all human lives.

Child abuse statistics are not the only indication that human life has been extremely devalued. We also notice the evidence of it in elder abuse, euthanasia and human trafficking. We notice it in the harsh realities of violence and even starvation that is forced upon citizens around the world by oppressive and totalitarian regimes.

I am not here today to pretend that there are simple and easy answers to the problems that people face in their lives. But I’m convinced that abortion has been promoted far too many times as the “easy fix” or easy answer to a large problem, but it hasn’t fulfilled its promise. Sadly, scores of those who followed the advice of their doctor or the clamor of society, have discovered too late that the “easy fix” only led to greater problems compounded by guilt and shame.

I’m thankful to the Lord for all of the individuals and organizations who have stepped up and have worked tirelessly to provide solutions and alternatives to the brutality that Satan has led our society to gradually accept. Right here in our surrounding community we have the privilege to support and assist the Alpha Omega Center in Slippery Rock and New Castle and Willow Women’s Center just north of Hermitage. We have the privilege to support and join efforts with Project Restore in Greenville – a safe haven for women rescued from human trafficking. We support the efforts of New Castle City Rescue Mission and New Destiny Treatment Center who are actively rescuing people from addiction, homelessness, and other devastating conditions.

I pray that God will help our eyes and ears to be open and our hearts willing to offer every bit of help we can to those who are being destroyed by the evil philosophies and practices of our culture. Where did we go wrong? How did we get in the position we’re in? I propose to you that it all began long before Roe v. Wade when God’s eternal Word came under attack and so-called “enlightened scholars” coaxed our religious and political leaders away from the idea that there was such a thing as absolute truth.

One of the casualties of this departure from God’s truth was the concept of “imago Dei” (Latin, image of God). For decades we have been indoctrinated to believe that we humans are nothing but animals (and I must say, sometimes we certainly act like it). Many of our children have been programmed to blindly accept the idea we evolved from apes because “Science proves it.” The problem is, when we accept these false propositions, then human life loses its inherent value at all levels. 

What is the “Image of God” and what is its significance for a Christian?

imago Dei (image of God). (Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms) A term describing the uniqueness of humans as God's creatures. In the Genesis creation account Adam and Eve are said to be created in God's image and likeness (Gen 1:26–27). Theologians differ on what the image of God actually refers to, but most agree that the image is not primarily physical. Instead the imago Dei may include the presence of will, emotions and reason; the ability to think and act creatively; or the ability to interact socially with others. Scripture attributes the imago Dei solely to humans, and it indicates that the image is in some sense still present even after the Fall (see Jas 3:9). Above all, however, Christ—and by extension those who are in Christ—is the image of God. 

Since the creation account in Genesis says man was created in God’s image but does not say that about animals, then the “image” must include those aspects that make humans distinct from animals.

The Teacher's Bible Commentary: What then, is the image of God? The simplest explanation is to notice how God is described in the first chapter of Genesis. Man is like that. God is pictured as freely creating. The Hebrew word bara ("create") is never used of man, but the fact that God summoned man to assume supervision over creation reveals that he gave him the ability to respond freely to the challenge. Animals can only adjust to their environment; man can create his own. To combat the cold, he has built furnaces. To alleviate the heat he has devised air-conditioners. When man adjusts meekly to an uncomfortable environment, he assumes the level of lower animals. Man was made for higher things.

Even though the “image” was marred when sin entered the world and affected every part of our being, yet every human being still bears the “telltale characteristics” of the image of God. So, why is this important? If we are all created in the image of God, then every life is worthy of respect and “redemption.”

·     If all human beings are created in the image of God, and in some sense still bear the image of God, then we must treat everyone with respect.

James 3:8-9 (NKJV) But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.

James is reminding us that we should not even talk disrespectfully / abusively toward others because they are made in the image of God.

·     Redemption in the sense of rescue and restoration from all that is working destructively.

Jeremiah 22:3 (NKJV) Thus says the LORD: "Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver [rescue] the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.

Abuse; Addictions; etc. etc. Satan convinces people all the time that they are worthless and the world would be better off without them – leading to total despair. 

·     Redemption in the sense of eternal salvation.

God didn’t throw humanity away and start over. No, He already had planned a means of redemption.

Forgiveness is available for every kind of sin because God believes in redemption and restoration.

We are told in Scripture that Jesus Christ is the “image of the invisible God.” He is the ultimate example of the image.

It is only as we are redeemed by His blood and created anew in the image of Christ that we are able to fully experience and express the image of God as He intended us to express in this world.

Conclusion:

As we leave this service today I hope that we go away with a fresh realization of how much value each human being has simply because we are all bearing the image of our Creator in our lives. I hope we will continue to pray for all those who are victims of abuse and destruction. I hope we will seek ways to be involved in relieving the suffering of others who need a voice and a helping hand.

Let us close by singing a challenging hymn: I Then Shall Live