God's, or Caesar's?

Have you ever wondered why the Scripture makes such a point of repeating the fact that mankind was created “in the image of God?”
Genesis 1:26-27 “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.”
In these two verses alone, man’s creation by God in His image is mentioned five times in different ways. Five times, plus another four times in Genesis 5. And perhaps most importantly of all, we find it again in Genesis 9:6, after the Flood (which destroyed the Nephilim). If something comes up ten times in the first nine chapters, it’s obviously very important. The writer of Genesis has a point to get across here; especially keeping in mind that God was preparing this (in fact the whole of Genesis 1-11) as among the foundations of all Biblical doctrine.
The very fact that humanity was created personally by Yahweh Himself and made to represent Him is part of the absolute backbone of the Scriptures and our faith as a result.
How we represent God is really what this is all about, after all. For we are uniquely placed in all creation, as human beings, the physical beings created by God for a personal connection with Him. To be made in the image of God is more than just a design template. It is a revelation to us, to a certain degree, of what God is like. And it is indicative that above all, God desires a relationship with us. We are not slaves or machines or pets to Yahweh. We were always intended to be members of the Father’s family. And that is why the Most High went to such great lengths to ensure that there would be a means of forgiveness available to us, so that when we fall short, when we miss the mark, when we mess things up completely and even deliberately, our Savior can always bring us back through faith in Him.
Bearing God’s image isn’t easy though. It’s not just a matter of existing as a human being. That might be all it takes to hold the title of an image-bearer. But God is looking for representation from us, not just default status. That is a functional responsibility. He wants us to show the world, through our every thought, word and deed, what He is like. Our Heavenly Father reveals Himself to His imagers in order that we might bear His Name as a light to the world around us. That means that being made in God’s image comes with a responsibility to honor the intent of our Creator. There is a purpose behind His selection of mankind as His image-bearers. There is something God wants.
Jesus spoke about this when asked about whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. His response to that question is fundamentally important to all believers:
Matthew 22:17-21 “Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.”
Jesus looked at the coin presented in front of Him. He asked simple questions. Whose image is this? Whose name is it? This object belongs to the person that is represented by it. The coin can go to Caesar. God wants for Himself that which was made in His image, and which bears His Name. We bear God’s image by default. But we bear His Name by obedience to His will, honoring His character in our lives. That’s what makes God’s Law so important, even for Christians today.
We take it for granted today in our Christian worldview that there is only one requirement for salvation from sin; just one thing needed for everlasting life with Yahweh in eternity to come. We delight in the freedom of that classic saying of old, that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. And it holds true as it ever has. But what would you say if you found out there was another less obvious requirement for salvation?
No, this is not about some kind of subsequent experience or some additional religious requirement. There’s nothing else you have to do, nothing extra you have to believe, no price to pay. You just have to be. You have to be – human! Does that sound strange? You have to be human to be saved – think about it. The Most High God, the Creator made you in His image, according to His likeness, by the express working of His will. Like the coin that bore the image and the name of Caesar, only the genuine article holds value in his kingdom. You can’t buy a soda with Monopoly money, and likewise, the King of Heaven will accept only those who bear the identification of the King. Salvation is offered only to those who are genuine creations of God because nothing else holds value to the Creator.

​- Excerpt from “Answers to Giant Questions,” chapter 1: From Order to Chaos,” by T.J. Steadman.