January 23rd

Genesis 9:6 - Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image. Human life is precious to God. After God had created so many incredible things, his culminating act was creating Adam out of the dust of the earth and breathing life into his nostrils. Adam was born into the world through the creative acts of God, but he was different from the other life that God created. Adam was made in the image of God, as was Eve after him. To be made in the image of God is to resemble God in some way. Think of how we are able to distinguish one person’s art from another. If you are familiar with the paintings of Van Gogh, you can recognize which works are his and which aren’t. If you are familiar with the music of Bach, you can recognize his voice and sensibilities in each of compositions. Whatever we create, it carries in it pieces of ourselves. If you write a song, it will have your voice woven into it. If you craft something with your hands, its design will reflect you in some way. As human beings, much like a painting, we carry with us God’s signature and even some of his attributes. Our minds are able to process information differently than other life God has created. We have a moral compass written on our hearts that originated in our creator. We were designed to be in fellowship, just as fellowship exists in God between the Father, Son, and Spirit. God also created us to carry in us a spiritual component, and since God is spirit, this can only originate from him. As you can see, we were made to reveal God in the world, and that is one of the reasons why we are so precious to him. When we consider the love and purpose with which God created us, we should also consider the intrinsic value that each human life has. We should not be quick to shed the blood of another image bearer, for their life is no less valuable than ours. We have all been knit together by God in our mother’s womb, and so from conception to old age, we must preserve the lives of others as much as we are able. As you think about the people around you, do you think of them as image bearers? They may not believe in the God who made them, but they still bear his image in the world. We should long for them to come to faith in their creator and receive true life in the Spirit, but whether that happens or not, we must treat them with the respect that they deserve as a creation of the living God. Today you will interact with all kinds of people. How will you view them today? How will you view yourself? You were made to resemble God and glorify him with your life. You carry with you the fingerprints of the creator of all things, and he has made you to be a uniquely special piece of that creation. You are not mere cells and molecules randomly tossed together without purpose in the world. You are a handcrafted person, designed and built by the most masterful craftsman the universe will ever know.