Dearly beloved, we gather today to reflect on a question that echoes through the ages, a question that stirs the heart and challenges the mind: What does it mean to be human? This is no idle inquiry, for it touches the core of our existence, the purpose of our days, and the hope that sustains us. The Scriptures, God’s living Word, offer us a profound answer, revealing that to be human is to be created in the image of God, called to reflect His glory, yet marked by frailty and redeemed by grace. From the dust of Genesis to the glory of Revelation, the Bible unveils the beauty, the brokenness, and the divine destiny of humanity. Let us explore this truth together, seeking not only to understand but to live as those who bear the imprint of the Creator in a world that so often forgets Him.
In the beginning, God spoke, and the heavens and earth came to be. But when He formed humanity, He did something unique. Genesis 1:26-27 tells us that God created us in His image, male and female, breathing into us the breath of life. To be human is to carry this divine likeness, a reflection of God’s own character. We are not mere accidents of nature, not random collections of cells, but beings crafted with purpose, endowed with reason, creativity, and the capacity for love. The image of God in us means we are made for relationship—with Him and with one another. It means we are stewards of His creation, called to cultivate and care for the world He has entrusted to us. It means we have a moral compass, a sense of right and wrong, because we are made to reflect the One who is holy and just. To be human is to be a living portrait of the divine, a creature who can know God, worship Him, and mirror His goodness in the world.
Yet, we cannot speak of humanity without acknowledging our brokenness. The image of God, though not erased, has been marred by sin. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve turned from God’s voice, choosing their own way, and the consequences of that choice ripple through every human heart. To be human is to know the tension of our dual nature—capable of great love yet prone to selfishness, able to create beauty yet drawn to destruction. We see this in our world today: in the brilliance of art, music, and innovation, but also in the pain of division, injustice, and greed. Romans 3:23 reminds us that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. Our humanity is fragile, our hearts often wayward, our lives marked by the ache of a world that is not as it should be. To be human is to feel this longing, to know that we were made for more than the brokenness we so often experience.
But thanks be to God, the story does not end in our frailty. To be human is also to be the object of God’s relentless love. John 3:16 declares that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. In Jesus Christ, the true human, we see what humanity was meant to be. He is the image of the invisible God, as Colossians 1:15 proclaims, the One who perfectly reflects the Father’s heart. In His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus not only redeems us but redefines what it means to be human. Through Him, the image of God in us is being restored. By His Spirit, we are being transformed into His likeness, as 2 Corinthians 3:18 promises, from one degree of glory to another. To be human is to be invited into this redemptive journey, to be made new, to become participants in God’s mission to reconcile all things to Himself.
This truth has profound implications for how we live. If we are made in God’s image, then every person we meet bears that same divine imprint, regardless of their status, their choices, or their differences. To be human is to see the sacred worth in others, to treat them with dignity, to love them as Christ loves us. This means we cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of our neighbors, whether they live across the street or across the globe. It means we must work for justice, show compassion, and extend forgiveness, even when it’s costly. In a world that often dehumanizes—through prejudice, exploitation, or indifference—we are called to affirm the God-given value of every soul. Practically, this might look like listening to someone who feels unheard, serving in a local shelter, or advocating for those who are marginalized. It means living with intentionality, knowing that our actions reflect the One whose image we bear.
To be human is also to embrace our calling as stewards of creation. Genesis 2:15 tells us that God placed Adam in the garden to work it and keep it. Our humanity is tied to the earth, to its rhythms and resources. In an age of environmental strain, this calls us to care for the world around us—not out of fear, but out of worship for the Creator who made it good. Practically, this might mean reducing waste, supporting sustainable practices, or teaching our children to marvel at the beauty of God’s creation. It means living with gratitude for the earth, knowing that our stewardship is an act of obedience to the One who entrusted it to us.
And because we are fallen yet redeemed, to be human is to live in dependence on God’s grace. We cannot restore ourselves; we cannot heal the brokenness within or without. But through Christ, we are invited to participate in God’s redemptive work. This means cultivating a life of prayer, immersing ourselves in Scripture, and relying on the Spirit to shape us. It means embracing community, for we were not made to walk alone. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges us to spur one another on toward love and good deeds, meeting together, encouraging one another. Practically, this might look like joining a small group, serving in your church, or simply being present for a friend in need. It means living with humility, knowing that our strength comes not from ourselves but from the One who is renewing us day by day.
Finally, to be human is to live with hope. Revelation 21 paints a picture of a new heaven and new earth, where God will dwell with His people, wiping away every tear. Our humanity is not bound to this broken world; it is destined for glory. This hope sustains us through trials, inspires us to persevere, and reminds us that our lives have eternal significance. It calls us to live now as citizens of that coming kingdom, bringing glimpses of its beauty into the present. Whether through acts of kindness, words of truth, or moments of worship, we are invited to live as those who bear the image of God, redeemed by His love, and destined for His glory.
So, beloved, let us embrace what it means to be human. Let us live as those created in God’s image, reflecting His love and truth in all we do. Let us acknowledge our brokenness, yet cling to the grace that makes us whole. Let us care for one another and for this world, knowing that we are stewards of a sacred trust. And let us walk in hope, confident that the One who began a good work in us will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. May our lives be a testimony to the God who made us, redeemed us, and calls us His own. Amen.
