Genesis 9:5–6 (NIV84)
5And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man. 6“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.
Romans 12:17–21 (NIV84)
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
In the post-flood world, God establishes a principle of profound and radical importance: the infinite value of human life. He declares that He will demand an accounting for the life of a person, even from an animal. This is not about animal justice, but about establishing the utter uniqueness of humanity. Because we are made in God’s image, an attack on a human being is an attack on the reflection of God Himself. This is the foundation for all justice, all ethics, all human rights. It is a declaration that every single person, regardless of their utility, their accomplishments, or their perceived worth, carries an echo of the divine.
This principle has staggering implications. It obliterates any basis for racism, for classism, for treating another person as a means to an end. As John Calvin noted, when we encounter another person, we are not to assess their merits, but to see the image of God in them, which “allures us to love and embrace them.” It calls us to be patient, forgiving, and hopeful for all individuals. This is not a call to ignore sin or injustice, but to recognize that the person who commits the injustice is still a ruined castle, a masterpiece vandalized, but a masterpiece nonetheless. Our response to evil must be tempered by the knowledge that the evil-doer is of infinite worth, just as we are.
Reflect, Share & Prayer: Think about someone you find difficult to love or respect. How does the truth that they are made in God’s image challenge your perspective? Pray for the grace to see others as God sees them and to act with love and justice.
There’s someone in my life whose words and actions often frustrate me, and it’s easy to focus on how they make me feel rather than who they are to God. Remembering that they, too, bear His image reminds me that their value isn’t diminished by their flaws—just as mine isn’t. It challenges me to respond with patience and compassion, even when I don’t feel like it. Seeing them as God does begins to soften my heart and open space for grace to grow.
Father, help me to see this person through Your eyes, to honor the divine image within them, and to let Your love shape my words and actions toward them.
Someone I have a hard time to love and respect is my aunt. She currently doesn’t work because she doesn’t want to and whenever I see her she tells me I am doing too much and I should relax more. It just frustrates me because I just find it hard to hear from her perspective. From a counselor perspective though I just need to remember that everyone is going thrugh something and sometimes I need you unpack and understand what she is going through. After all she is a child of God just like I am as well!
Reflect, Share & Prayer: Think about someone you find difficult to love or respect. How does the truth that they are made in God’s image challenge your perspective? Pray for the grace to see others as God sees them and to act with love and justice.
When I think about this, the only person that I used to find very hard to respect at times for the things that she’s done is my mom. That is not the case anymore as she has tried to change from how she used to be, but every now and then things creep up. No one is perfect. We all fall short. There are many times my mom has done things to me in the past that truly shows she just didn’t care about me or my future or even if I lived at times in the past. But then again, I have realized that I am a sinner and I have fall short many times. I have learned to forgive my mom for the things that she’s done to hurt me in the past. She has gotten a lot better and I love her very very much..
Oh Lord, heavenly father thank you so much for dying for my sins. Lord, I am grateful to have clear eyes to see that fall short all the time and I’m not perfect. Thank you, God for giving me the compassion and understanding to be able to forgive those that have hurt me and even to love them. I am truly grateful for your love your mercy and grace on me so that can spread that to those around me. And or even though my heart has been heavy worrying about JB. I beg of you to guide his heart guide his body oh Lord so that he can start his journey with you. Lord, I pray that you surround him with good people that he would take their suggestion and follow through what he has agreed to. Lord, I pray that there’s a bed that would open up for him as well. Lord, I pray for Lynette and family during this difficult time. Please bring them all together as one family. In Jesus name, I pray amen.
(from Jimmy)
The fact that they are made in the image of God helps me set my frustrations of them aside and relate to them more. I’m sure my own actions has angered and hurt others as well. Like me, they too make mistakes and all of our walks with God are different. It has encouraged me to pray for them and their well being rather than just associating the things they do that frustrate me to them. It is still difficult at times, but knowing this calms me down and doesn’t let my anger linger.
Father God, as you still consider me a reflection of your image, I pray you allow me to see everyone else through your lens. That they too are a reflection of you. May your Holy Spirit help me treat them and help them with respect and love as you do with me. Help me forgive those who have and will wrong me. I pray all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
From Monica
Many times, I find my patients difficult to love/respect. While my intention is to help them, many times my attempts are met with entitlement, hostility, and rudeness. I find myself resenting certain patients for treating me poorly. Seeing all my patients as the image of God paints a new perspective. That regardless of their background, gender, ethnicity, SES, all were made in the image of God. God, I pray that in times I find it difficult to serve my patients, you would allow me to see them in your eyes. May this view help me to continue serving them with love and compassion.
Second Louise-
Teaching is hard because we ought to love all students but it’s super duper frustrating, draining, angering and down right wrong sometimes how much we put up with. I wonder if the love or the lack there of they receive or don’t reflects on their actions. More likely yes. They are often time crying for help and we see the hurt, pain and cry for help in their misbehavior. I had to call a student out today when I went out of my way to show her grace and she took advantage of that grace. I was pretty mad and she knew it. Tomorrow is a new day and God’s grace and mercy is new everyday. For me and for my students. I am reminded to seek God in filling me up because I do not have the capacity to love beyond what I can muster. Joyce
The person I find hard to love or respect is my ex. However, God made me realize that we are made in his image and we are all sinners once. But we are saved by Jesus and we ought to love all the people on earth. Well, I respect Jesus very much for dying for the people who put him on the cross. That is definitely something I want to exercise to be able to see pass people’s sin. Father God, thank you for your grace. Thank you for loving us even when we don’t deserve it. I pray that I will have the courage to do the same when time comes. Amen
There is a couple of people who I found difficult to deal with. Now thinking of them in the new perspective, I realize it’s wrong to hold grudge against them. Whether our issues are fair or unfair, or who is right or who is wrong, it doesn’t mean I sin less or my sins are less worse. While we were made isn God’s image, we are all sinners with His glory shed on us. I need to fear God for God created that person equally as me. I need to find out why God purposed me into conflicts like that. Thank you God for always reminding me of being created in your image. It’s so profound that it’s worth meditating on day and night. Help me lift up interpersonal issues to you and pay respect to others in yor name.