What does it mean to be made in the image of God? It’s an amazing truth; we were created to reflect the nature and character of God.

Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness. . . .’”

George Cladis, in his book Leading the Team Based Church, says that that interactions of the Eastern Church perception of the Trinity “implies intimacy, equality, unity, yet distinction, and love.”

Not only does the community of the Godhead speak to the design for human life, but the idea of human beings being made in the image of God also carries with it a view to our purpose and destiny in this world!

D.J.A. Clines, in The Image of God in Man, emphasizes the significance of humankind being made both in God’s likeness and in His image. He points out that this implies that we were made not only to be “representatives” (images) of God here in our world, but we are also meant to be “representational” (likeness). We are to bear a likeness and live out the nature and character of God on earth for His glory. Said another way, we are not just to be people who are ambassadors representing God. We are also meant to reflect His character among those we come as ambassadors. That is a powerful difference!

A significant aspect of our reflecting God’s likeness is our calling to live as a vividly united, loving, and intimate community before a watching world.