God's Masterpiece: Humanity in His Image – A Reflection on Genesis 1:26-31

In a world that's increasingly drifting from biblical truth, it's more important than ever to anchor ourselves in the unchanging Word of God. Today, I want to share a message inspired by a recent homily I delivered to our congregation. We'll dive into Genesis 1:26-31, the pinnacle of God's creation week, where He forms humanity in His own image. As Christians, we hold to the literal six-day creation account—no compromises with evolution or modern myths. Let's explore this passage using both the King James Version (KJV) and the Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) to uncover its timeless truths.

The Divine Declaration: Made in God's Image

We start with the majestic words of Genesis 1:26-27 from the KJV:

"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."

Now, let's see the same verses in the CJB, which connects us to the Hebrew roots of Scripture:

"Then God said, 'Let us make humankind in our image, in the likeness of ourselves; and let them rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the animals, the whole earth, and every crawling creature that crawls on the earth.' So God created humankind in his own image; in the image of God he created him: male and female he created them."

Notice the harmony between these translations—they both reveal the Trinity at work. The "us" and "our" point to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in perfect unity, crafting humanity on the sixth literal day. This isn't some evolutionary accident; it's deliberate design. Being made in God's image means we reflect His attributes: reason, morality, creativity, and the ability to form relationships. We're not descended from animals—we're set apart as spiritual beings, accountable to our Creator.

And let's be clear: God created us "male and female" from the beginning. In a society pushing gender confusion, this biblical binary is our anchor. Marriage and family are built on this foundation, as God intended.

The Mandate: Dominion and Stewardship

Moving to verses 28-30 (KJV):

"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so."

From the CJB:

"God blessed them: God said to them, 'Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the air and every living creature that crawls on the earth.' Then God said, 'Here! Throughout the whole earth I am giving you as food every seed-bearing plant and every tree with seed-bearing fruit. And to every wild animal, bird in the air and creature crawling on the earth, in which there is a living soul, I am giving as food every kind of green plant.' And that is how it was."

God entrusts us with dominion—not to abuse creation, but to steward it wisely as His representatives. This isn't an excuse for environmental neglect; it's a call to responsible care. Originally, the diet was vegetarian for humans and animals alike, highlighting a pre-Fall world free from death and suffering.

The command to "be fruitful and multiply" is God's blueprint for family and growth. In an era of population decline and anti-family agendas, we must embrace this: build strong homes, raise godly children, and spread the Gospel to multiply spiritually.

The Verdict: It Was Very Good

Finally, verse 31 (KJV): "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day."

CJB: "God saw everything that he had made, and indeed it was very good. So there was evening, and there was morning, a sixth day."

Creation was perfect—no "trial and error" of evolution. Sin entered later through Adam, but through Jesus Christ—the eternal Word—we find restoration.

Living as Image-Bearers Today

So, what does this mean for us? First, uphold Scripture's authority: Reject Darwinism and affirm a young earth. Second, embody God's image through holy living, loving relationships, and faithful stewardship. Third, multiply—physically in families and spiritually through evangelism.

In these challenging times, let's stand firm on Genesis as the foundation of our faith. If this resonates with you, share it with a friend or in your Bible study group. And remember, true hope comes from surrendering to Christ.

Let us close in prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for creating us in Your image. Empower us to live out Your mandates with boldness. In Jesus' name, Amen.

What are your thoughts on this passage? Comment below—I'd love to hear how God's Word is speaking to you!

DMMC 8-12-25