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)

You’ve probably heard that we were created in the image of God, but what does that mean? The fact that we are made in God’s image makes us unique compared to every other kind of living thing. The imago Dei, Latin for “image of God,” is an important truth with practical implications, and it’s particularly relevant as we celebrate the Civil Rights Movement this Martin Luther King Day.  

It’s an incredible honor to represent God as His image. It's also humbling, because we are not God; we are only a reflection of Him.  

To be made in God’s image means every human life has intrinsic value and worth.  Every single person is worthy of honor because of the dignity of being made in the imago Dei. No matter what life circumstances we are born into, we all are cherished reflections of the Creator. Each of us can live in the knowledge of this noble identity.

Being made in God’s image also means that none of us is inherently more valuable or noble than another. This creative imprint is not of our doing but a gift from Him. Recognizing His image in others reminds us to treat every person with dignity and respect (Mark 12:30-31). It inspires humility, empathy, and a sense of shared identity with all people. We are all humble, dignified, creative reflections of our creator.

In his 1967 book Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. declared:

This innate worth referred to in the phrase ‘image of God’ is universally         shared in equal portions by all men. There is no grade scale of essential     worth; there is no divine right of one race which differs from the divine right of     another. Every human being has etched in his personality the indelible stamp     of the Creator.

This weekend we remember Dr. King’s powerful call to see all people as the very images of God. He urged our nation to see beyond differences and to embrace the truth that every individual—no matter their ethnicity or background—bears the imago Dei. Each man and woman is a living testament to the sacred dignity and worth bestowed upon them by their Creator. What a beautiful truth we get to celebrate: that we are all united by our shared humanity and divine image!

You are worthy, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they were created

and have their being. —Revelation 4:11 (NIV)