So God Created Us in His Own Image - But, Why?

When we ponder the profound words of Genesis 1:27, "So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them," we often find ourselves asking, "Why?" What does it mean to be made in God's image, and what purpose does it serve? Let’s delve into this biblical narrative to uncover the heart of our creation.

Created for Relationship

From the beginning, God’s intention was clear: He created us to have a relationship with Him. He desires to be with us, to be our friend, our Father, our everything. In Jeremiah 31:3, God expresses His eternal love for us: "The Lord appeared to me (Israel) from ages past, saying, 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.'" This deep, abiding love is the reason for our existence.

God didn’t create us as robots. He endowed us with free will because He wanted our love and devotion to be genuine. Imagine a relationship where one party has no choice but to reciprocate love; it wouldn't be true love at all. By giving us free will, God allowed us the choice to love Him back, to follow Him willingly.

Our Creator Knows Best

In Isaiah 55:8-9, God reminds us, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts higher than your thoughts." We sometimes create narratives, stories where the created surpasses the creator, but this is a fantasy we tell ourselves to feel in control. These are made-up Netflix-type fantasies or sci-fi. In reality, God, our Creator, knows us better than we know ourselves. He crafted every part of our being with a purpose in mind.

David eloquently captures this in Psalm 139:13-14, saying, "For You formed my innermost parts; You knit me [together] in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well." This intimate knowledge and craftsmanship highlight God's detailed and loving creation of each of us.

The Ultimate Purpose

Humanity is often in search of purpose, constantly asking, "Why am I here?" The Bible provides a clear answer: Our purpose is to serve and worship the LORD. In Ecclesiastes 12:13, Solomon concludes, "When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is Almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person." Our ultimate purpose is to honor God, to live in a way that reflects His glory.

A line from a Christian podcast I recently heard resonated deeply: "Adam and Eve had no idea they were naked until they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." Before their disobedience, their focus was solely on the Lord. They lived in a state of bliss and provision, without worry or shame. This is how we are meant to be—fully reliant on and attentive to God. Yet when they disobeyed God, they forgot their purpose, they forgot who they were. They shifted their focus to themselves and even hid from their beloved Creator. They didn't realize that by running to God, rather than away from Him, they could find true relief and restoration.

Heaven: An Eternity with God

A conversation with a good friend recently brought another truth to light: Many people desire to go to heaven but fail to realize what that truly means. Heaven is not a place for fleeting moments of worship followed by personal indulgence. It is an eternity of being with God, worshiping and experiencing His presence continuously. Revelation 7:9-10 describes this beautifully: "After these things I looked, and this is what I saw: a vast multitude which no one could count, from every nation and from all the tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Christ), dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands; and in a loud voice they cried out, saying, 'Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb (our salvation is the Trinity’s to give, and to God the Trinity we owe our deliverance).'" Our eternal purpose is to glorify God and enjoy His presence forever.

Acceptance of Our Divine Purpose

Accepting our purpose might seem challenging in a world filled with distractions and alternative narratives. Yet, the fulfillment we seek can only be found in living out the purpose for which we were created. Let’s turn our focus back to God, trusting that He, our Creator, knows what is best for us. Embrace your purpose: to love, serve, and worship the LORD, for this is our highest calling and greatest joy. This will lead you to the answer for everything you thought you wanted.

Biblical references are from the Amplified Bible (AMP) version.