To be in one's image goes much deeper than physical resemblance.  It is man as man (body, soul, and spirit) that is the image of God.  This special dignity denotes worth and acceptance from the One whom creates.  Our heavenly Father could not give us, His children, any greater asset than to be created in His image!  We are created in the image of the Perfect, Holy, and Loving, Awesome God!

In order to help us understand the essence of this reality, God allows us to bear and raise children in our own image, in our own likeness. 

The extent to which we display the image of God in our life is the extent to which we become conformed to the image of Christ.  2 Corinthians 3:18 explains it this way: "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

The image of God is like the wings of a butterfly.  Our sinful nature wants us to walk around like a caterpillar - never realizing the potential we have to soar, to be free, to display God's glory.  Guess what?  God provided a cocoon in the person of His very own son - Jesus Christ - who will turn all who believe into butterflies.  As we realize the image of the one whom we belong to, we stop walking and we start flying!

How does this relate to our children?  Let’s look at some facts about being in one's image:

Our children alone are created in our likeness.
Our children are the climax of God's creation.
Our children remain in our image, even after they fall.
Our image infers a special dignity to our children.
Our children are made for relationship with us.

It is very convenient for parents to conclude that, at a young age, our children do not recognize violence on television, arguments in our marriage, anger or bitterness in our hearts, or inconsistent behavior in our lives; however, children learn through observation.

They see an action and they decide to repeat it.  If they receive a favorable response - laughter, praise, and a smile - they will continue the behavior.  If they receive the dreaded "NO", they will either stop the behavior or try it again with the hope of soliciting a different response.  Your child is never too young to observe!

Parents, do you treat your children as the pinnacle of your life - as your most treasured gift - as the apple of your eye?  God gives us worth and dignity in creating us in His image; we must pass this worth and dignity on to our children.  It will begin with our children observing our life and following our actions; it must lead to an understanding that you, as the parent, are attempting to mirror the lifestyle of Jesus Christ; it will hopefully end with a child's decision to follow Christ directly as their ultimate example.