SCRIPTURE
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 (NIV)
THOUGHTS
The bold claim in the first chapter of the first book of the Bible is that man and woman are made in God’s image. Think about that for a moment. When God made us, He made us to be like Him. He made us to represent Him. He made us to reflect and radiate His presence to the world. Not only did He make us to be in His likeness, but He made us with equality. God made man and woman different, but equal.
The bliss of the Garden of Eden didn’t last long. As sin came into the world through the first man and woman, it did something to our image and our equality. Sin attempts to dethrone the peace of God in our lives by tarnishing God’s image inside of us and creates a divisive wedge between men and women (Gen 3:16). This is why we still face issues of inequality today, not only in our culture, but also in a segment of the broader church.
When Jesus came as the sacrificial lamb, He came to reverse the curse of the garden. He came to restore our image (2 Cor 3:18) and bring equality (Gal 3:28). He came to undo the damaging results of sin. As the men and women of Red Hills Church, let's allow Jesus to heal our hearts and restore relationships. Let’s see one another as image bearers of Christ, equal in God’s eyes.
PRAYER
God, I pray that You would heal the hearts of the men and women at Red Hills Church. I ask that you would continue to restore my image, so I can fully radiate and reflect You to the world. God, would You allow Red Hills Church to be an example of Christ in treating one another with dignity, respect, and equality. Give me the courage to follow Your Word even when it goes against culture. Holy Spirit fall on our church and awaken us to Your truth. In the name of Your great and glorious son, Jesus Christ. Amen.