"Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." (Gen 1:26-27). How thankful I am for the reminder in Genesis 3 and 11 about the dangers of pride and the crossing of divine boundaries, and for the reminder in Genesis 2 that we have been fashioned from the dirt. Otherwise, it would be very easy to become puffed up when we read the words of Genesis 1:26-27. Think about it: the creation narrative repeats again and again the importance of divisions within creation: light from darkness (1:4), the lower water from the upper water (1:6-7), lights to rule by day and lights to rule by night (1:14, 18). But when it comes to the creation of mankind, the emphasis is not on separation, but on unity, not on differences but on similarities. God made us in his image! There is a reflection of divinity in every single human being. Maybe this explains why God went to such great lengths to redeem us. And maybe this is why would ought to treat every human being, even our enemies, with dignity and respect. "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27-28).

I pray you live today filled with truth that you are created in His image! Then, may you live out a life of love toward others. Be blessed, my friends!