Made In His Image

What Does It Mean To Belong To God?

It is not uncommon to hear declarations that every person is made in the image of God and, therefore, belongs to God. Some variations of this claim suggest that everyone belongs to God, even before they come to believe in Him. As I reflected on the paradox of being made in God’s image yet still needing to be conformed to His image, I contemplated the true meaning of belonging.

Created in God’s Image: A Beginning of Belonging

In the opening chapters of Genesis, we see that humanity was created in the likeness of God:

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God, He created him; male and female, He created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

The first man and woman, Adam and Eve, bore His resemblance. They reflected the image of God not only through their capacity to think, feel, plan, and act, but also through their obedience in fulfilling His mandate: to have dominion and multiply. This mandate speaks to humanity’s role in stewarding His creation and partnering with God in spreading His goodness throughout the world.

In that original state, Adam and Eve lived in perfect union with God, untainted by the knowledge of sin. We can reasonably conclude that they reflected God's image without flaw as God declared over them and all of creation, “It was very good.” (Genesis 1:31). In this state of harmony, we can rightly say that Adam and Eve truly belonged to God.

The Fall: Sin Distorts the Image of God

As we know, humanity's perfection was short-lived. Sin entered the picture through Adam and Eve’s disobedience, leading to a fractured relationship with God, and a clouded understanding of who they were created to be:

“For although they knew God, they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal human beings, and birds and animals...They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” (Romans 1:23, 25)

“They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice.” (Romans 1:29)

Sin did not erase humanity’s inherent likeness to God, but it marred it, and severed intimacy with their Creator. And this is where the question arises: Do we automatically belong to God?

Jesus’ words in John 8:44 spoken to some of the religious leaders of His day offer some insight:

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

In Matthew 7:21, Jesus' warning about false disciples resonate with a similar message:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven.”

These verses suggest that being made by God doesn’t necessarily mean we belong to Him. There’s a clear distinction in these verses that is crucial for us to understand if humanity is to rediscover its true image and find its rightful belonging.

Belonging Through Adoption

Scripture tells us that true belonging comes through adoption:

“He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 1:5)

Through God’s unmerited grace, we are adopted into His family. It is in this new identity as sons and daughters that we find true belonging as members of His household of faith. And from this identity that we begin—though imperfectly—to reflect His glorious image once again.

Reflecting His Image

Though the image of God remains in every person, it is like a mirror cracked by sin, still capable of reflecting, but now in need of restoration. True restoration begins when we come to know God personally. Jesus, the perfect image-bearer shows us what that looks like. Through His unwavering obedience to the Father, His radical compassion, and His power to restore the broken, Jesus became the perfect reflection of God on earth. Through His death for our sins and resurrection by the Spirit of God, Jesus paved the way for humanity to be reconciled back to relationship with the One who made them.

John 1:12–13 affirms the reality of reconciliation through faith, revealing that not all who are created by God will come to know Him intimately. Rather, it is those who believe in Jesus who are known as God's adopted children:

“He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."

This spiritual adoption is echoed again in Romans 8:15:

“You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15)

When we place our faith in Jesus, we are not only adopted into God's family, we are also filled with His Spirit, enabling us to reflect Him to the world as Jesus did. The Holy Spirit shapes us to grow in God’s likeness, producing Godly qualities such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Through these Spirit-empowered characteristics, we become mirrors of God's goodness just as we were always created to be.

So, what does it truly mean to belong?

Belonging to God is more than being made in His image. It means:

Being adopted into His family through faith in Christ

Being restored to reflect His character through the Holy Spirit

Being empowered to steward His creation as His representatives on earth

An Invitation for All

Consider this parable by Jesus that illustrates beautifully the call to belong:

“A certain man prepared a great banquet and invited many guests. When it was time for the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'come, for everything is ready.' But one after another they all began to make excuses...So the master said, ‘Go out quickly... bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame... compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.” Luke 14:16–23 (paraphrased).

God’s open invitation still stands. He is calling all people, regardless of their past, to come and find rest, identity, and true belonging in Him.

“Come to Me, all of you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

And how do we respond?

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)

His Promise

Being made in God's image gives us dignity, but being adopted into His family gives us belonging. The invitation is open. The Father is willing and ready to receive you back into His loving arms to enjoy an intimate relationship. When we respond in faith we can rest assured that in Jesus, we find a place to belong forever.

“All those the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never drive away.” —John 6:37