What does it mean to be created in the Image of God?

From Jonathan Schultz at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Bixby, OK. One must consider several things in answer to the question “What does it mean to be created in the Image of God?” First we consider mankind is unique from all the rest of creation. God created all of the other creatures with a simple statement “Let there be” but in mankind’s creation God says “Let us make.” The fact that God also breathed into mans the breath of life further distinguishes man from all the other creatures “the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7) Next He says “after our own image.” He said this only about man and not the other creatures “…created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians. 4:24b). Man is not just another category of creature. There is mankind but no animal-kind or plant-kind. Man is unique. He is made in the image of his creator. Animals are not. Next we see that God created man to be in communion with Him. Mankind was created to be His companions. To this end He has given man emotions, the ability to reason, morals, a mind and a memory. Scriptures reveal the fact that God gives specific instructions to man because man can understand and relate to what He is saying. They are responsible to God. He has not given this to any of His other creatures. Man was given the ability to have dominion over all creation. He is to be in charge. “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’ Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.’ And it was so” (Genesis 1: 28-30). We see further evidence of man being created in the Image of God in Genesis 9:6 “‘Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the Image of God has God made man.’” This implies that after the fall mankind retains the distinction of God’s image even though we lost the close relationship that was theirs at creation. It is permissible to kill animals but not other humans because they still are created in the Image of God. One is not to speak ill of other human beings. To do so would be speaking ill of God because mankind is created in His image. “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be” (James 3: 9-10).