“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’” – Genesis 1:26
As we begin a new year and new decade, there are an enormous number of important truths in this single verse!
First, we see God speak to Himself in the plural (“let us…in our image…”). We see here a glimpse of the glorious and eternal relationship that has always existed within the Trinity. Our God is three (Father, Son, Spirit), yet indivisibly one. This is hard to understand, but if we take seriously the words of Scripture and the teachings of Jesus, this conclusion is unavoidable. For those who deny the Trinity that is a refusal to carefully read Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. Already in verse 2 we saw the Spirit of God at work in creation as distinct from the spoken creation power of the Father. Let this be an encouragement to get to know God more richly and deeply in 2020!
Second, we are assured that man is made in the image of God. We aren’t the result of a series of random accidents. Your life has meaning, value, and purpose. Indeed, all mankind – men and women of every race, nationality, social class, and background carry the image of God. Every person we interact with, read about, or are tempted to condemn or write off is an image-bearer of God. We must take this truth seriously! We must diligently seek to restore all people to relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We must never simply write off, condemn, or dismiss people as worthless or hopeless. As image-bearers, every human being from those unborn in the womb, to those living in the farthest corners of the earth, to those lying nearest to death have purpose, significance, value, and are worthy of respect and love. Love all God’s image-bearers (including yourself) better in 2020!
Third, we were made to rule over all of creation as stewards on behalf of God. We have absolute authority to manage the earth and all creatures within for God’s purpose and glory. That means we have responsibility to care well for the earth. We must be good stewards of what we rule. But it also means that we must not place the creation above God or the good of humanity. Good stewardship does not look like abuse of our power over nature nor does it look like servitude to nature. Rule over the earth wisely and well in 2020!