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Genesis 1:26 a

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...
(ESV)
I pause on the first half of this verse because it is so amazing what has just happened.

First of all there is the "us" found in this verse. If I had more time we could break that down and show the roots of the trinity found in Genesis chapter 1. Even the word "God", in the original, is elohim - the plural of el - meaning "god".

Second, there is communication. God did not create man so that He would have someone to talk to. There was obviously perfect communication going on before we were in the picture. This is not a trivial side thought, this is essential to understanding your purpose. God did not need to make us, He chose to make us to display His own glory. This is why you could truly say that the "chief end of man is to Glorify God and enjoy Him forever." (John Piper changes this catechism slightly to say, "The chief end of man is to Glorify God by enjoying Him forever." I believe that Piper's version is more accurate to the truth.)

Third, we are made in the image of God, in His likeness. There are all sorts of great theologians who have broken this down, and I am sure that they have done a much better job than I could ever do. So, I won't attempt to break this down to determine the ins and outs of the words image and likeness. I do want to say this though, when you read this verse, don't skim past that part. You could almost say it this way, "You are just like God... You're NOT God, but you are just like Him. There are so many things that He can do and qualities that He has, but... if there is anybody that you're like... You're like HIM."
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