“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:26-27

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” – Psalm 139:13-16

God created us in His image. He knit us together in our mother’s womb. God is the Artist, the Potter, the Author of life, the Giver of Breath.

If it’s not true for all, how can it be true for some? Who decides?

What if unbelievers are His sons and daughters, too, and we’re on a holy rescue mission to bring them home? What if we’re salt and light, vessels of His goodness, agents of His love, to point people back to Him?

Thomas Jefferson even wrote in our country’s Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal… “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among those are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

We’re born with a sinful nature, yes (Psalm 51:5). We must be born again into the kingdom of God, yes (John 3:3-7). But God is still the One who created us. He made us in His image, in His likeness. He was there in the dark, forming us – not the devil.

What if our view of the lost and broken shifted? What if we saw them through a lens of grace? Not as the devil’s offspring but as God’s beloved kids who are wandering in the darkness?

We were once there. We were all lost, hopeless, broken – like sheep without a shepherd.

What’s more helpful when you’ve reached the bottom of your pit? A condescending glare from a passerby? Or an understanding human to help you find the Way?

What if it’s more of a coming back to God than a coming to Him?

He’s God. He’s Creator. He’s Father. He’s always been, and always will be. He wants “all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).

I thought of John 8:42-47, but I wanted to look at the whole chapter to see who Jesus was speaking to. Was it the lost? Unbelievers? No. He was in the temple courts, with the teachers of the law and the Pharisees, with Jews who had believed him.

“If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. 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. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

I’m not saying we should discount every “religious” person and say that they’re children of the devil. But maybe we should be a little slower to call anyone a child of the devil. Who are we to judge? Who are we discount the image and likeness of God that we are all equally created in?

Maybe our approach needs to shift as our perspective widens.

Jesus’s invitation, to ALL, is “Come.”

To the babies, who probably haven’t believed in Him yet? Come…

“People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'”- Luke 18:15-17

To the weary, those who are burned out on religion? Come…

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company at me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” – Matthew 11:28-30 MSG

To the fearful, standing on the edge of something amazing? Come…

“Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ ‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said.” – Matthew 14:25-29

Let us come boldly to Jesus, and bring others with us. Let us not hoard the hope we’ve so graciously received. Let us remove the obstacles and tear down the walls that prevent others from seeing that they are created by a good and generous Father.

Today is a beautiful day to be a conduit of His light and love, to give flavor and color to mediocrity, and offer Him all the glory.

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” – Jesus (John 14:18)

This week’s song suggestions:

• Canvas and Clay covered by Jon Wright
• Tear Down the Walls by Hillsong United