The Divine Stamp: Celebrating the Intrinsic Value of Human Life
Is Human Life Special?
Human life holds a unique and sacred value, distinct from all other forms of creation. This truth does not diminish the importance or beauty of other aspects of the creation, it is simply affirming the truth the God has called humanity special and set apart. This is rooted in what is called the doctrine of “imago Dei” (Image of God), the belief that every individual is created in the image of God, human beings bear the stamp of their Creator and possess inherent dignity and worth. Genesis 1:27 (NIV) says, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” This divine imprint sets humanity apart, endowing us with a significance that transcends earthly distinctions and elevates our status to that of cherished children of God. How are we to think about Imaging God?
The Bible tells us that we are not accidents of the universe, but an intentional choice of the All-powerful Creator. Beyond that, He did not simply create us and leave us to our own devices, instead, He loving cares for all of His creation and invites humanity (me and you) into a partnership with Him in reigning over creation. This elevated position is not one of lording power and domination, but loving self-sacrifice and service. How do we know this? Because it is how Jesus rules and reigns, Hebrews 1:3 reminds us that Jesus is the exact imprint of God in the flesh. In other words, to see Jesus is to see God the Father.
What Does it Mean to be Created in the Image of God?
What does it mean to image God? The concept of imago Dei does not mean our physical appearance; it speaks to the relational and spiritual aspects of our humanity. In the creation account of Genesis, Genesis 1:28-30 goes on to say,
“28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food. And it was so.”
I think this gives us some clues into what it means to image God. God invited humanity into a stewardship role over the earth, over the creation. To image God is to reflect His character and attributes in our lives, relationships, and interactions with the world. Just as God exists in perfect communion within the Trinity, so too are we called to cultivate loving and authentic relationships with one another. When Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment, in other words, what is the most important thing for us to do,
“37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” (Matthew 22:37-39 NIV)
This underscores the interconnectedness of humanity and underscores the importance of first, relationship and community with God and second, the importance of community, fellowship, and mutual support with other humans.
How Does Imaging God Affect How We Live?
How then should this inform our lives? Imaging God in our lives entails a transformative process of becoming increasingly conformed to the likeness of Christ. Romans 8:29 (NIV) declares, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Romans 12:1-3 similarly calls followers of Christ to pursue transformation of our lives to reflect Jesus. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody the selfless love and sacrificial compassion exemplified by Jesus, who ministered to the marginalized, the outcasts, and the oppressed. This transformative journey involves the renewal of our minds, the cultivation of virtuous character, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit working within us.
As we strive to live out the truth of imago Dei in our lives, we are called to embody the love, compassion, and grace of our Creator, reflecting His image to a world in desperate need of hope and healing. Ephesians 4:24 (NIV) exhorts us to “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” This entails embracing a holistic vision of humanity that celebrates diversity, promotes justice, and fosters reconciliation. We are called to challenge oppressive structures, advocate for the marginalized, and uphold the sanctity of human life in all its forms.
Practically, living out the imago Dei involves intentional acts of love and compassion towards others. It means extending kindness to the stranger, compassion to the marginalized, and forgiveness to the offender. It means standing up for justice, speaking out against oppression, and working towards the common good. It means valuing every individual as a precious creation of God, regardless of their background, beliefs, or circumstances.
Love in action requires us to look beyond our own comfort and convenience and actively seek ways to alleviate the suffering of others. This may involve volunteering at a local shelter, advocating for policy changes that address systemic injustices, or participating in community outreach programs. It means reaching out to those who are marginalized or oppressed, listening to their stories, and standing in solidarity with them as allies and advocates.
In today’s world, there are numerous justice issues that demand our attention and action. From the oppression of the poor to racial injustice, from human trafficking to environmental degradation, the need for justice is evident in every corner of society. As followers of Christ, we are called to be agents of change and advocates for the marginalized. This may involve participating in protests, signing petitions, or supporting organizations that work toward social justice. This involves spending our time and money to impact the lives of others. This can mean spending time with lonely people, the elderly who are without family, the foreign families who have come here, foreign students who have no community, and writing to those who are imprisoned. This can look like investing in the young people in our communities, especially the young people in our churches, and letting them know that they have worth though they are young. Investing our time in building relationships is a very undervalued resource that each of us has, sharing our hearts and our lives with other people communicates worth in a way that few other things do.
The principles of imago Dei are not confined to grand gestures or public demonstrations. They are meant to permeate every aspect of our lives, influencing how we interact with others in our day-to-day encounters. Whether it’s navigating tense situations at work, resolving conflicts within our families, or engaging in difficult conversations with friends, we are called to embody the love and compassion of Christ in all that we do. This may mean choosing forgiveness over resentment, humility over pride, and reconciliation over division.
Being an image bearer of God reminds us of the intrinsic value and sacredness of human life. It affirms that every individual is created in the likeness of the Creator, reflecting divine qualities and bearing the stamp of God. As we strive to live this out in our lives, may we embody the love, compassion, and grace of Jesus Christ, reflecting His image to a world in desperate need of hope and healing. Let us champion the dignity and worth of every human being, working towards a world where all are treated with the respect and compassion they deserve as beloved children of God.