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Being created in the image and likeness of God means that human beings reflect divine attributes such as love, justice and rationality. This doesn't mean that God has a physical form similar to ours, but that He made us with characteristics that make us unique from the rest of creation. This idea, found in the Bible, carries a deep meaning about our identity, value and purpose.

But what does this really mean in practice? Are we always reflecting this image? How does this similarity manifest itself in everyday life?

What does it mean to be in the image and likeness of God?

The expression "image and likeness of God" appears in the very first book of the Bible:

"Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." (Genesis 1:26)

This means that human beings were created with characteristics that reflect the Creator. Unlike animals, we have consciousness, morality, creativity and the ability to love unconditionally.

Being in God's image is not about physical appearance, but about essence. God is spirit, and our likeness to him lies in our ability to think, choose, create and love.

How do we reflect this image?

Our lives reflect the image of God in many ways. Whenever we show love, seek the truth or practice justice, we are acting in accordance with this divine likeness. Some practical ways include:

1# Loving others - God is love, and when we practice empathy, forgive and help others, we reflect this characteristic.

2# Act justly - God is just, and when we seek goodness, honesty and righteousness, we are manifesting that likeness.

3# Create and innovate - God is the Creator of all things, and our ability to invent, build and develop ideas is a reflection of Him.

4# Choosing between right and wrong - Unlike other living beings, we have a conscience and the freedom to make decisions, being able to choose a morally correct path.

5# Relating to God and people - God lives in communion, and we too were created to have meaningful relationships, both with Him and with other people.

Have we lost that image over time?

Sin distorted this image, but did not erase it. With the entry of sin into the world, human beings turned away from God's purposes and began to act in a way that was contrary to God's nature. However, this image was never completely destroyed.

That's why, throughout our lives, we are called to draw closer to God again, seeking to restore that likeness through a life aligned with his values.

How can we better reflect the image of God?

If we were created to reflect the image of God, how can we do this more faithfully? Some attitudes help us to manifest this likeness more clearly:

1# Seeking to know God - The more we learn about who God is, the more we are able to reflect his characteristics.

2# Living with purpose - Our lives have value and meaning. By understanding this, we start to act more intentionally.

3# Doing good every day - Small gestures of kindness, forgiveness and love reflect the divine character.

4# Avoiding what distances us from God - Selfish attitudes, pride and injustice distort this image in us.

5# Trust in the transformation that God can do - God can restore our lives and help us to live according to His likeness.

Created to reflect God's glory

Being in the image and likeness of God is not just a theological concept, but a reality that should impact our way of living. Each person carries this divine reflection within them, and the real challenge is to allow this image to manifest itself fully in everyday life.

The more we seek to live according to divine principles, the more we become mirrors of the Creator in the world.

See also: What does God say about unhappy marriages?

February 27th, 2025