Let's keep it as simple as we can.

Gen 1:26 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.

Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

In His/Our image:
Webster's definition of image: A representation or similitude of any person or thing, formed of a material substance; as an image wrought out of stone, wood or wax.

Man was made as a representation of God on earth. "In His image does not mean that man looked like Him in bodily form. Impossible since God is a spirit.

Man was made "after our likeness". God's likeness is revealed in His attributes, some of which are shown here,

Exo 34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

The newly created man (Adam) represented God on earth and displayed His same qualities.

Once man fell there was no more image of God in the earth. Satan became the administrator. The cursed earth and fallen man are representative of that fact.


Gen 5:3 And Adam lived a hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:

The man in Genesis 1 was created. Seth and his progeny are begotten. Begotten means to generate through procreation. Seth came into being from the tainted seed of Adam. His progeny are also tainted and it cannot be said that these that came from Adam represent God in image or in attributes.

Another begotten One is Jesus. Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Jesus was not created like Adam but He was begotten in the image of God displaying every attribute.

Those who are born of God in the new birth can claim to be born in the image of God after His likeness spiritually but not in the flesh.

I think it's appropriate to follow up with this:

We have all sinned and deserve God's judgment. God, the Father, sent His only Son to satisfy that judgment for those who believe in Him. Jesus, the creator and eternal Son of God, who lived a sinless life, loves us so much that He died for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserve, was buried, and rose from the dead according to the Bible. If you truly believe and trust this in your heart, receiving Jesus alone as your Savior, declaring, "Jesus is Lord," you will be saved from judgment and spend eternity with God in heaven.

.......
AND ME TOO!
Justified by Faith, Standing in Grace