Divided We Stand: How to Love When We DisagreeSample

Imago Dei

“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

This concept is referred to as imago dei, translated in English as “Image of God.” All people have the DNA of God inside of them. This means that even though humans are fallen and broken, they are still image-bearers. That includes the people you disagree with, you don’t like, and who look, act, and believe differently than you!

God doesn’t love us because He has to. He loves us because He wants to. He delights in us! We are His handiwork—made uniquely—and He enjoys His creation. He has chosen to love us, and nothing can separate us from His love. God didn’t wait to love us until we got our act together, figured things out, or had perfect theology. No, as Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Christ felt we were worth His very life, even in our darkest moments. This wasn’t based on our behavior or our beliefs. He showed that He valued us, just as we are, more than His life.

This means that those who look, act, think, and believe differently are also worth His life. Richard Mouw says this powerfully in his book Uncommon Decency.

All human beings are God’s handiwork. Each person is a very precious work of divine art. To make light of an artist’s work within the artist’s earshot is a cruel thing to do. To demean one of God’s most precious artworks when God is listening—and He always is—crudely dishonors the divine artist.

Do we treat others, including those we most disagree with, as though they were worth Christ’s life? As we deepen our understanding of this truth that all people are made in the image of God and that Christ died for all, it begins to transform how we value, honor, and defend all humans. Even those with whom we disagree!

Reflection:

When thinking about those on the “other side” of an issue you feel strongly about, what comes up when you remember that Christ felt they were worth His life?

Who is most difficult for you to treat or view with dignity and value?