Man: Made in the Image of God
From the very first pages of Scripture, we encounter a profound truth that sets humanity apart from all creation: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness’” (Genesis 1:26, ESV). This declaration isn’t just a poetic flourish—it’s the cornerstone of our identity, purpose, and destiny. But what does it mean to be made in the image of God? To grasp this, consider a simple yet powerful analogy: a glove is made in the image of a hand. Perfectly crafted to reflect the hand’s form, the glove is designed with intention and precision. Yet, without the hand filling it, the glove lies limp, powerless, and unfulfilled. So it is with us. We are fashioned in God’s image, but our true purpose and vitality come only when He fills us. Let’s explore this truth through five key points, rooted in Scripture, that illuminate what it means to be made in God’s image—and how we live it out.
1. Designed with Divine Intent
A glove doesn’t come into existence by accident. It’s meticulously shaped to mirror the hand—each finger, each curve crafted with purpose. Likewise, Genesis 1:27 declares, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” You and I are not cosmic afterthoughts. We bear the imprint of a purposeful Creator. Our capacity for reason, creativity, and relationship reflects God’s nature. Just as a glove is useless without a hand, our design finds its meaning in the One who made us. We’re not random; we’re intentional—crafted to reflect His glory.
2. Endowed with Authority
When a hand fills a glove, it doesn’t just sit there—it works, grips, and shapes the world around it. God, after creating humanity in His image, gave us dominion: “And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth” (Genesis 1:26). This authority isn’t ours to hoard or abuse; it’s a delegated gift. Like a glove animated by the hand, we exercise dominion as stewards of God’s creation, reflecting His sovereign rule. Without His presence, our authority becomes empty, a shadow of what it’s meant to be.
3. Wired for Relationship
A glove isn’t made to function alone—it’s part of a pair, designed to complement the hand and work in harmony. Scripture reveals God’s relational nature: “Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26, emphasis added), hinting at the Trinity—Father, Son, and Spirit in perfect unity. As image-bearers, we’re wired for connection. Jesus echoes this in John 17:21, praying “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you.” A glove without a hand is isolated, incomplete. So too, we find our fullness in relationship—with God and with one another—when His Spirit fills us.
4. Called to Reflect His Character
A glove takes on the hand’s movements, becoming an extension of its will. Similarly, being made in God’s image means we’re called to mirror His character. Ephesians 4:24 urges us “to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” God is love (1 John 4:8), just (Deuteronomy 32:4), and merciful (Psalm 103:8). When we let Him fill us, our lives reflect these attributes. Without Him, we’re like an empty glove—floppy and ineffective, unable to fulfill our calling to display His goodness to the world.
5. Destined for Purpose
A glove’s ultimate purpose isn’t to lie in a drawer; it’s to be worn, to serve, to accomplish what the hand intends. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Made in God’s image, we’re destined for a life of purpose, not aimless existence. But here’s the catch: a glove can’t animate itself. We need God’s Spirit to breathe life into us, as He did in Genesis 2:7: “Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.” Apart from Him, we’re dust—lifeless and unfulfilled. Filled by Him, we step into the abundant life He promises.
The Glove Without the Hand
Consider the tragedy of a glove without a hand. It’s a hollow shell—finely made, perhaps, but useless. This is the human condition apart from God. We may bear His image in our design, but sin severed that connection, leaving us empty. Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Like a glove discarded on the floor, we’re powerless to fulfill our purpose on our own. But God didn’t abandon us. Through Christ, He restores us. Colossians 1:15 calls Jesus “the image of the invisible God,” and through His sacrifice, we’re invited back into union with Him. When we accept His grace, the hand slips into the glove once more—filling us, empowering us, giving us life.
Living as Image-Bearers
So what does this mean for us today? It’s not enough to know we’re made in God’s image—we must live it. A glove doesn’t fulfill its purpose by sitting idle; it must be worn. Jesus modeled this perfectly. He said, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9), reflecting God’s image flawlessly because He was filled with the Spirit. We’re called to the same. Galatians 2:20 says, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” When we surrender to Him, His life flows through us, and we become vessels of His love, power, and purpose.
Think about your life. Are you a glove lying limp, chasing empty pursuits? Or are you filled by the hand of God, living out the destiny He’s woven into your being? The choice is yours, but the invitation is clear. Psalm 139:14 declares, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” You’re not an accident—you’re a masterpiece, designed to reflect the Creator. But a masterpiece needs its Maker.
Action Step: Take the 45-Day Challenge
Being made in God’s image isn’t a passive reality—it’s a call to action. If you’re ready to step into the fullness of who God created you to be, I invite you to take the 45-Day Challenge at FivestarMan.com. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about pursuit—letting God fill you daily as you grow into the man He designed. Over 45 days, you’ll discover practical steps to align your life with His purpose, reflecting His image in your relationships, work, and faith. A glove is nothing without the hand. You were made for more—let Him fill you. Sign up today at FivestarMan.com and start living as the image-bearer you were created to be.
Neil Kennedy is the founder of FivestarMan, dedicated to awakening authentic masculinity through biblical principles and purposeful living.
