Creator, Father, King #30

Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

CHIMPANZEES DON’T DO IT.

Neither do cardinals, caribou, cockatoos, catfish, cobras, crocodiles, cheetahs, chickens, chipmunks, or chinchillas.

Massive Jupiter doesn’t do it. Neither does Saturn, with its fascinating rings of ice and rock particles, nor the sun, a blazing hot star of immense proportions and power.

Not even the highest, mightiest order of angels can claim this remarkable distinction.

Only humans bear God’s image.

Over the last two days, we’ve learned what that means and why God created us this way. Today, we will explore this question: How should being God’s image-bearers affect the way we live?

What’s It Mean?

To understand the concept of bearing God’s image, we must understand the ancient concept of a viceroy, which was a governor or representative ruling a region on behalf of the overall sovereign of an empire. This is why, as soon as God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Genesis 1:26, ESV), he immediately said that we were to “reign over” the animal kingdom (verse 26) and “fill the earth and govern it” (verse 28).

In ancient times, the king’s viceroy often carried a signet ring or another official tool in order to sign documents on the king’s behalf. Viceroys were royal emissaries. They literally bore the king’s image on that token. Their word was the king’s word. If they spoke or acted unfittingly, it reflected poorly on the king, and people could misunderstand who he was and how he ruled.

Do you see the connection? As God’s image-bearers, we are given the high calling of representing the eternal King. It’s a huge responsibility. But it’s one he has well-equipped us to do through the power of his Spirit and his Word.

It wasn’t long before sin got in the way of our ambassadorship. The first earthly viceroys—Adam and Eve—fell short of their calling (Genesis 3) and all humans since then have too (Romans 3:23). But the King has mercifully made atonement for our sinful rebellion through the sacrifice of his perfect Son. Through faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to the eternal King, you can fulfill your calling and bring glory to his name as his image bearer until he calls you home!

Now What?

Read 2 Corinthians 5:20 and Ephesians 6:18-20 for references of being an “ambassador” for God.

Did You Know?

When Joseph rose to power in Egypt in Genesis 41, he became a viceroy under the ruling pharaoh.