Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness… Gen 1:26 Imagine seeing a crumpled bit of paper on the ground. It would probably be dismissed as trash. But if that piece of paper was a high-value currency note, it would be quickly salvaged, regardless of its dirty appearance. Why? Both are paper, yet the currency note bears the guarantee of the government. This transforms it from a coloured bit of paper to very valuable, whatever its setting. Just so, every human being, regardless of outward circumstances, bears the image of God. This bestows inherent worth, the human dignity and value that no amount of degradation can erase. Genesis 1:27 tells us, "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." These words establish a profound truth: every man and woman is equally created in the likeness of God. This equality of origin and of worth transcends gender, race, status, or ability. It is rooted not in what we do but in the image we bear. Genesis 9:6 emphasizes this by declaring the taking of human life to be punishable by death, because man was made in the image of God. What does it mean to be created in the image of God? The writer of Hebrews reflects on this mystery in Hebrews 2:6-7: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor and placed everything under his feet.” Humans are unique from all other creatures. We were created just a little lower than angels. We were crowned with glory and honor, and given dominion over creation. This divine image is evident in our ability to reason, our moral sense of right and wrong, our creativity, and our capacity for relationships—with each other and with God. Yet, sin has alienated us from God and caused us to lose the reflection of His glory in us. Our moral compass is corrupted, our relationships fractured, and our purpose clouded. The image remains, but it is corrupted, like a tarnished mirror that no longer functions as it was intended to. However, the story doesn’t end there. Through the life, death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ, God has reconciled us to Himself and given us his Spirit. He is restoring His image in us who have come to Christ. Colossians 3:10 tells us that, in Christ, we have “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Ephesians 4:22-24 urges us to “put off the old self, which is corrupted by deceitful desires, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” This renewal is a process, a daily transformation occurring as we submit to God’s work in our lives. While humanity has not yet been given dominion over all things that they were created for, yet Jesus has received the crown. Verse 9 declares, “We