October 18, 2026
In the creation account, God declares His intention to create human beings in His own image. Both male and female are created with this dignity, giving every person a special place within God's creation. Our worth is not determined by what we accomplish, what others think of us, or even how faithfully we respond to God. It begins with the One who created us.
Devotional
Have you ever looked at a child and immediately recognized someone in the family? Maybe it's the eyes, the smile, or a particular expression. Sometimes the resemblance is so strong that nobody has to tell you whose child you're looking at. You can see the family connection without anyone explaining it.
Genesis tells us that we were created in God's image. That doesn't mean we physically look like God. It means God has given humanity a special dignity and created us for a relationship with Him and with one another. Every person carries the mark of belonging to God's creation, whether or not that person has recognized Him as Creator.
That truth is especially meaningful as we celebrate baptism and welcome new members into the church family. Today, as Delilah Peach is baptized and Will and Luke join the congregation, we are reminded that faith is lived in community. Delilah already has worth because God created her. Baptism celebrates God's grace reaching toward her and welcomes her into a community that promises to help her grow in faith. Will and Luke are making a commitment to follow Christ alongside people who will encourage them, pray with them, and share life's burdens.
But the image of God is not limited to those who stand before the congregation today. It belongs to everyone. The person we find difficult to love bears God's image. So does the person who has made choices we cannot understand. God's love reaches toward people who have never entered a church and people who have spent years resisting His invitation.
That should influence the way we treat one another. If we truly believe every person bears God's image, we cannot measure human worth by income, reputation, political opinions, or mistakes. We may not approve of every decision someone makes, but that person still deserves to be treated with dignity.
And as followers of Jesus, we have another responsibility. We are called to reflect God's character so that other people can recognize something of Him in us. Our lives will never do that perfectly, but God's grace continues shaping us toward greater love, patience, and compassion.
The family resemblance becomes clearer as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us.
Action
Look for God's image in someone you might ordinarily overlook or find difficult to understand. Make a deliberate effort to treat that person with kindness and respect, remembering that their worth comes from the same Creator as yours.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for creating us in Your image and giving every person dignity and worth. Forgive us when we allow appearances, opinions, or past mistakes to influence how we treat others. Help us see people through Your eyes and remember how deeply You love Your creation. Continue shaping our hearts so that our lives reflect Your goodness and compassion. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Thought for the Day
Every person bears God's image, and the way I treat them should reflect His love.
We often recognize a family resemblance in someone's face, but what does it mean to bear God's image? Genesis 1:26–27 reminds us that every person has dignity because God created them. Our worth doesn't depend on what we've accomplished or how others see us. May the way we treat others help them recognize something of God's love.
