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.” So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26-27

When man and woman were created by God, they were made in the image of God. Therefore, they had a free will – the ability to choose – to use their intellect to make wise choices or bad ones. How they used those gifts, turned their relationship with God into a vast expanse. The fellowship they shared was cracked and broken. They needed a Savior to rescue them and future generations. When the Bible tells us that we were created in the image of God, He says, “Let US make man . . .” In that singular word, God is defining the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We can’t begin to comprehend three persons in one being, but God is just that. His character, His personality, His image is amazing and without flaw. You and I were created in that image. Our inherited sin and the sins we continue to do, have made the divide grow even bigger. Since the fall of man, God has fulfilled His promise to us, by sending His only Son to become one of us – to experience life as we know it – to be our Brother and our Master – to shepherd us through the highs and lows of living. When He suffered and died a humiliating, undeserved death, He carried all of our sins to the cross and ultimately to the grave. When He overcame death by rising from the tomb and showing Himself to many, He proved His divine nature. We are redeemed children of God, because of God’s great love for us.

To be placed in that position is a gift none of us deserves, but there is no greater love than that of our God. He loves us so much. He buried our sins by giving His own life for us. Another one of those impossible things to believe. However, He even provided for our faith in Him, by sending His Holy Spirit to breathe it into us. He gave us His Holy Words in the Bible – inspired by that same Spirit. I can’t understand how this came to be, but I do understand His amazing grace and how it has brought my sin filled soul back into fellowship with Him. We all have that gift available to us. It’s free. It’s not dependent on our good works and it is a perfect example of unconditional love.

Dear God, You have given us the gift of life, even when we don’t deserve it. Death no longer has dominion over us. We can be assured of our future after death, because of your great love for your creation. Help us to thank you for that gift by reaching out to others. Help us to serve you in any way we can. Our good deeds won’t save us, but they will demonstrate the love you first showed to us. Help us to remember how much you love us and teach us how to return that love. Amen!