Image Bearers, not Slaves

You’ve likely heard that humans are made in God’s image—but what does that actually mean? Genesis chapters 1 and 2 give us the first glimpse of this, and the more we explore, the more amazing it gets. We’re not just here to survive or do God’s chores. Far from it! We’re image bearers, co-workers with God, created to reflect His goodness into the world. Tom Wright describes us as being like an angled mirror, sending the world’s praise back to Him.

So, what does being an “image bearer” really mean, and why is it such a revolutionary concept?

Not Being Slaves to the gods is a Radical Departure

In ancient creation myths, humans were nothing more than slaves to the gods. Picture this – celestial beings too lazy or too important to do their own work, so they create humans to serve them—run errands and handle the dirty work. Think about the mythologies of Mesopotamia or Egypt, where gods demanded sacrifices and absolute servitude. Humans were expendable, created on a whim.

Genesis flips that narrative on its head. God didn’t create us because He needed us to do His heavy lifting. Instead, He invites us into a partnership. Genesis 1:26–27 declares that we’re made in His image—not to serve Him out of fear, but to reflect His love, wisdom, and creativity into the world. In a culture where gods were unpredictable and wrathful, Genesis introduces us to a God who is generous, just, and good.

Co-Workers with God

Our role isn’t to bow and scrape before a deity who sees us as disposable. No, Genesis 2:15 shows that we were created to cultivate the earth and steward God’s creation. God made the world good and invites us to partner with Him in keeping it that way. This is the complete opposite of the worldview that says humans are the gods’ slaves, working to keep them happy.

We are called to represent God’s authority on earth, as rulers under His reign. That’s both humbling and incredibly empowering. Instead of being errand boys or temple cleaners, we are called to be caretakers of God’s creation, reflecting His character in everything we do.

Reflectors of Glory in The Angled Mirror

Here’s where it gets even better. Being an image bearer is like being an angled mirror, it’s something we do. 

In the ancient world, people often thought of the heavens—the stars, the sun, and the moon—as symbols of spiritual powers. But in Genesis, God speaks light and order into the chaos, declaring His total authority not just over the material world but also the spiritual realm (Genesis 1:14–19).

Our role in all this is to reflect God’s goodness into the world, just like an angled mirror reflects light. When people see justice, kindness, and love in us, they’re seeing a reflection of God’s character. And here’s the thing – as we reflect His goodness, we also reflect the world’s praise back to God. Everything we do, when done in the name of Jesus, becomes an act of worship.

Think of Psalm 19:1, which says, “The heavens declare the glory of God.” Now imagine that we’re part of that declaration. We reflect His glory into the world, and the world’s praise back to Him. We’re more than bystanders; we’re part of the worship of all creation!

Part of God’s Heavenly Family

In Genesis 1:26, when God says, “Let us make man in our image,” scholars believe this could include a conversation within the heavenly council, God’s spiritual family. That means we’re not just earthly partners but part of both God’s heavenly and  earthly family. Think about it— we belong in two realms!

God isn’t distant or uninterested in His creation. In fact, He invites us into His family. This is relational theology at its finest—we are not slaves or flesh robots, but children of God and partners in His work.

The Generosity of the Garden

When looking at our role in creation and God’s character, the Garden of Eden is the place to look. The garden wasn’t just a pretty place to live—it was a symbol of God’s goodness, generosity, and love. Adam and Eve had everything they needed—food, purpose, and most importantly, God’s presence. Genesis 2 paints a picture of a God who delights in providing for His creation, who takes pleasure in their joy, and who desires a relationship with them.

In contrast to the creation myths, where gods are distant and humans are merely tools, the Bible shows us a God who walks with His people (Genesis 3:8). The Garden of Eden is a glimpse of what life with God is meant to be; abundant, joyful, and free from fear.

Don’t Just Exist

So, next time you read Genesis 1 and 2, remember: you’re more than a mere mortal scraping by on this earth. You’re an image bearer, a co-worker, and a member of God’s family. You were created to reflect God’s goodness into the world and return that praise to Him like an angled mirror. The creation account isn’t just about how many days it took—it’s about the generosity, creativity, and authority of Almighty God. He’s given us a remarkable role to play, not as slaves, but as partners in His kingdom.