The Image of God

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him." - Genesis 1:27

We watch our news feed and comment from the safety of our bunkers. "How dare they." "What an idiot." "That's just wrong." "Black lives matter!" "ALL lives matter!!" We're forgetting one very important thing. We, and the people we comment about, were all made in the image of God.

Rioters, police, politicians, looters, terrorists, news reporters, black, white, you name it - ALL were created in the image of God.

We tend to forget that these days. We get all wrapped up in OUR beliefs that we fail to acknowledge the beliefs of others. Whether right or wrong, we all have things that we believe to be true.

But what should the Christian do when he or she encounters a Muslim? Honestly or anyone else with a different point of view? I think we must listen with our eyes and speak with our hearts.

"You'll catch more flies with honey than you will with vinegar." That's what my grandpa used to say. Jesus told us that we must love one another. That's the honey - love. It was SO important a concept to Jesus that He said it three times in two verses.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” - John 13:14-15

What does "love" look like on Facebook or Twitter? People get bashed on social media over a simple comment they have made. Total strangers then join in on the attack because they disagree. That's not love. So, what DOES love look like? How should we respond?

• Don't comment right away. Maybe the other person will think twice about their comment and delete it.
• If you do comment, apply some honey. Comment in love or ask a respectable question.
• When you post something, be considerate of others opinions. Or don't post at all.

We aren't going to change anyone's mind by getting up in their face about something. Our biggest weapon in any battle should be prayer. Do we pray about something before we post it? Honestly, I seldom do. I need to change that.

"Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." - James 3:5-6

We must love one another because all too often we forget that we are arguing with and bashing the image of our God.

Wide Eyed - Nicole Nordeman