How can we reflect God's image in our daily interactions with others? Our Foundational Identity: Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27) • Being made in God’s image gives every person inherent dignity and value. • Our everyday goal is to mirror His character so others glimpse what He is like. Seeing Others as Image-Bearers • James 3:9 reminds us we “curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.” Any harsh word or unkind act is ultimately an attack on God’s handiwork. • Treat every encounter—family, coworkers, strangers—as sacred ground where God’s image stands before you. Displaying God’s Communicable Attributes • Love – “Beloved, let us love one another… Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8) • Righteousness & Holiness – “Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:24) • Justice & Mercy – “He has shown you… to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) • Truthfulness – God “cannot lie” (Titus 1:2); we mirror Him by honest speech and integrity. • Creativity & Stewardship – Just as the Creator brought order and beauty, we cultivate, build, and care for His world. Practical Ways to Reflect His Image Daily • Speak life-giving words—encouragement, gratitude, honest correction seasoned with grace. • Show kindness to the overlooked: greet, listen, serve without expecting return. • Practice forgiveness quickly, imitating God’s readiness to pardon (Ephesians 4:32). • Work diligently and excellently; our craftsmanship points to the Master Craftsman (Colossians 3:23). • Steward creation: reduce waste, appreciate beauty, care for animals and land. • Cultivate creativity—music, art, problem-solving—demonstrating the imaginative heart of God. • Live generously; meeting material needs reflects His abundant provision (2 Corinthians 9:8). • Let your light shine—good deeds that turn eyes upward (Matthew 5:16). Guarding the Heart to Guard the Image • Daily Scripture intake renews the mind (Romans 12:2) and aligns attitudes with His. • Prayerful dependence on the Spirit produces the fruit that looks like Him—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). • Confess sin quickly; unrepentant patterns smudge the mirror meant to reflect His glory. Depending on Christ, the Perfect Image • “He is the image of the invisible God.” (Colossians 1:15) • As we behold Christ, “we… reflect the glory of the Lord, being transformed into His image” (2 Corinthians 3:18). • Union with Him by faith supplies the power to live out everything above; He both models and energizes true image-bearing. |
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