Connect Acts 17:28 with Genesis 1:27 on being made in God's image. Two Passages, One Thread “God created man in His own image… male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27) “For in Him we live and move and have our being… ‘We are His offspring.’ ” (Acts 17:28) Created to Reflect His Nature (Genesis 1:27) • Image (Hebrew tselem) points to resemblance, representation, and relationship. • God’s moral, rational, creative, and relational attributes were stamped on humanity—literally and intentionally. • Male and female alike share this divine imprint, grounding human dignity and equality (cf. James 3:9; Psalm 8:4-5). Sustained to Remain in His Presence (Acts 17:28) • Paul affirms that every heartbeat, breath, and thought depends on God’s moment-by-moment power (cf. Colossians 1:16-17). • “We are His offspring” echoes Genesis 1:27; the Creator continues to father and uphold His image-bearers. • Existence itself is a daily testimony that the image has not been erased, only marred by sin (Romans 3:23). Image and Offspring—Connecting the Dots • Origin: Genesis declares how we began; Acts declares why we endure. • Identity: Image (who we are) and offspring (whose we are) form a single identity statement. • Purpose: Both passages move us toward fellowship with God and representation of God. • Accountability: If life and motion derive from Him, allegiance and obedience belong to Him (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Practical Implications for Everyday Living • Dignity of life – every person, born or unborn, carries God’s likeness (Psalm 139:13-16). • Stewardship – creation care reflects the Creator’s character (Genesis 1:28-30). • Work – creativity and productivity mirror His ongoing work (Exodus 31:3-5). • Relationships – love, truth, and forgiveness display His moral image (Ephesians 4:24-32). • Worship – since “in Him we live,” every activity can be offered back to Him (1 Corinthians 10:31). Restoration through Christ • Sin distorted the image, not destroyed it (Genesis 9:6). • In Christ the image is renewed: “Put on the new self… being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” (Colossians 3:10) • Destiny: conformed “to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29) and beholding His glory “from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Living the Reality • Acknowledge dependence: start each day mindful that life itself is “in Him.” • Reflect His character: choose truth, mercy, and holiness over the distorted alternatives. • Celebrate redemption: thank Jesus for restoring what sin fractured. • Honor others: treat every person as a bearer of God’s image and a potential heir of grace (1 Peter 3:7). • Anticipate completion: look forward to the day His image in us will be fully unveiled (1 John 3:2). In Genesis we discover whose likeness we carry; in Acts we discover whose life sustains us. Together the passages invite us to live as image-bearing offspring who find every moment rooted, nourished, and fulfilled “in Him.” |
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