Created in God’s Image
Thursday’s Verse:
From Genesis 1:27 ESV
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
Genesis begins not with what we must do for God, but with what God has done: He created humanity in His own image. Every man and woman is therefore not an accident, a commodity, or merely the sum of abilities, accomplishments, or failures. We are creatures intentionally made by God and given profound dignity by Him.
Yet God’s image in us has been marred by sin. We do not naturally reflect our Creator’s holiness, love, and righteousness as we were made to do. Our thoughts turn inward; our words wound; our actions fall short of the good purpose for which God created us. We cannot restore ourselves by trying harder or by achieving enough.
But in Jesus Christ, the true image of the invisible God, we see both what humanity was meant to be and what God has done to rescue us. Jesus took our human nature, bore our sin on the cross, and rose again so that we may be renewed in Him. In Baptism, God joins us to Christ and begins restoring us—not into people who earn His favor, but into His forgiven and beloved children.
So today, receive your identity as God’s gift. Treat your neighbor—every neighbor—as one created in God’s image and redeemed by Christ’s blood. And rejoice that, in Christ, God is making all things new.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Heavenly Father, thank You for creating us in Your image and for giving every human life dignity and worth. Forgive us for the ways sin has distorted Your good design in us. Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, renew us in true righteousness and holiness, that we may love You and faithfully serve our neighbors. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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