“Wow, he looks just like Dad around the eyes.”
“Look at those dimples. She’s definitely got Mom’s smile.”
Family resemblance is a popular topic of conversation around newborn babies. Parents often field comments about who their children take after. Though similarities can be noteworthy at first, time soon reveals how truly unique we all are.
There is a common bond, however. The Audio Bible tells us humans are made in the image of God. Listen to Genesis 1:26a: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.’”
God’s Word goes on to describe a portrait far more than skin deep. Rather than emphasizing how we look on the outside, Scripture reminds us what really matters is our heart. 1 Samuel 16:7b says, “For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”
The following Scriptures break down what it means to resemble God. When you look in the figurative mirror, do you see a likeness to His character taking shape?
God is love.
1 John 4:8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
God is just, holy, and righteous.
Isaiah 5:16 But the LORD of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness.
Isaiah 6:3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
God is merciful and kind.
Exodus 34:6-7a The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty.”
Romans 2:4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
The Bible is replete with passages about God’s nature. You don’t have to listen very long to discover what He’s like. But discovery is just the beginning. Scripture also reveals we’re meant to imitate our heavenly Father’s attributes.
Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
1 Thessalonians 1:6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit.
Because Scripture promises to accomplish whatever God wills, hearing and submitting to the Bible’s instruction is key. People who regularly engage and follow Scripture’s transformative truth can understand and live out their Creator’s image.
But many people in the world today can’t easily connect with God’s Word in a meaningful way. As if on their behalf, Romans 10:14 asks some thought-provoking questions.
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
We may all be made in the image of God, but 1.3 billion people still can’t access Scripture to find out what that means.
How will they bear the image of a God they do not know?
Faith Comes By Hearing has an answer. Because we believe God speaks every language in the world, we record and freely provide Scripture in audio and video. We are on mission alongside more than 700 partners worldwide to ensure everyone has the opportunity to understand they were made in the image of God.
Bearing our Creator’s likeness is a process; one that works itself from the inside out. If you’d like to know more about God and grow in His likeness, download our free Bible.is app.
Help others know they’re made in the image of God—give them His audible Word.
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