THREE PRIMARY AREAS WHERE GOD ’ S IMAGE AND LIKENESS ARE SHOWN
One : Humans are mentally or intellectually superior to all other species .
Compare the greatest invention of a chimpanzee ( our closest relative according to evolutionists ) with the inventions of humans . Chimpanzees haven ’ t done anything but survive . Humans have created massive systems to foster human flourishing and improve every aspect of life because some part of God ’ s creative mind and sense of purpose has been given to us .
Compare the communication skills of any animal with the communication skills of humans . Humans think , design , plan , speak , and write out their intentions with amazing clarity . Why ? Because God as a thinking , designing , planning , speaking , and writing being has given us some of His abilities .
Two : Humans have an embedded sense of morality , spirituality , and immortality like no other species .
Every group of people discovered on earth has a moral code they are trying to live by . Humans have a sense of right and wrong hard-wired into them like no other species . Where did this come from ? It came from a holy God who stamped this part of His image and likeness upon us and has called us “ to be holy as He is holy ” ( 1 Peter 1:16 ). When we watch a lion chase down an antelope on a TV show , no one ever calls for justice for the antelope . However , when a human assaults another human , we all know justice must be served . Why ? Because we have a God-given understanding that immoral actions must be punished .
As a part of His moral image stamped on us , God has given humans a level of freedom to choose that He hasn ’ t given to other species . In this box called time , we have an amazing level of freedom . We can choose right or wrong , where to live and work , and who to marry or not marry . With this level of freedom comes a level of accountability to God that animals do not have .
This moral sense is produced in us because of the neverdying soul God has given to every human . We inherently know there is something more than just the physical world we see , and all cultures have a sense that there is something for us after we die . Humans are the only species that can have a personal relationship with the God of heaven . All humans are drawn to worship someone or something because we were made for this purpose .
Three : Humans are social beings like no other species .
Whereas God the Father , Son , and Holy Spirit have lived in communion with each other for all eternity , humans have this great need to create families and social networks . This is a part of His image that is stamped on our hearts and minds . Humans long for meaningful relationships , and it is in these healthy relationships where humans thrive . Apart from meaningful social networks , humans end up in despair and dysfunction , and many end up taking their lives or wasting them on substitutes to fill the void . In a later article in this series , we will look at God ’ s good design for these social networks .
Children who are not given the right answer to what it means to be human grow up embracing all types of falsehood . When humans are considered not to have an intrinsic value greater than all other species , concepts such as abortion , assisted suicide , and saving whales over saving babies make sense .
Being created in the image of God is a huge privilege and honor . He has given us a shadow of His brilliance and abilities , so we can show the world His beauty and serve as His vice-regents on earth . It is of utmost importance that we impress this on the hearts and minds of our children so they will live with the great purpose they were created for . ■
In the coming articles in this series , we will look at the answers Genesis provides for these ultimate questions :
Why do we have two genders ? What is our purpose for being here ? What is marriage , and what is its purpose ? What is wrong with this world ? Why is there so much evil ? Is there any hope for this world ? What is that hope ?
To read the first article and purchase upcoming issues that continue this series , visit renewanation . org / magazine .
Jeff Keaton has been a successful pastor , church and school planter , and ministry entrepreneur . As the founder and CEO of RenewaNation , Jeff works across the United States and Canada to help awaken the church to the great need to give every child a biblical worldview . Jeff is married to Michele , and they have two daughters , two sons-in-law , two grandsons , and a granddaughter . He is the author of The Life of Radical Faith .
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