“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”
The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Ge 1:26–28).
When Jesus commands us to love others, it had not occurred to me the reasons why. Not necessarily for their merit, work, or status per se. It is because they bear the image of God. People are a visual expression by an “appearance” in what God looks like, and how He operates or functions since the Most-High is Spirit and not in anthropomorphic form. Therefore, we love them as God’s imprint on creation and flesh made over the generations.
Love God, above all, with everything you’ve got. Love others as they are loved by God. Love them well because they are among creation and bear God’s likeness. By following this line of understanding and rationale, it is far easier to demonstrate and place thoughts of love upon others as people groups and as individuals. Even while there might be a full denial of God’s existence and rightful place in their lives. Even if they who reject YHWH as enemies, accusers, and those who are due forgiveness.
