Made in the Image of God

How divine DNA shapes our desires and purpose

The opening chapters of the Bible are invaluable for understanding the world we live in and what it means to be human. Even if you aren’t a person of faith it’s worth reflecting on the first 3 chapters of Genesis.

The story starts with God creating mankind in his image:

God created man in His own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1.27)

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

It means we have divine DNA that shapes our design, purpose and desires.

An object’s design and aesthetic (it’s image) serve its purpose. Because humans are designed/created, our image informs our purpose.

So it’s no surprise humanity’s mandate follows immediately after their being made in the image of God.

God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1.28)

We are designed to:

• Increase

• Subdue

• Rule

We’ve been coded with innate desires to express ourselves in these ways.

The challenge is to live these desires in a way that brings life and pleases God.

It’s possible to pursue them in ways that damage ourselves and others.

Consider: Do you have desires to increase, subdue and rule? 

How could you pursue those things in a way that brings life? Do you have examples where those desires were pursued in a way that was harmful?