Reflecting Jesus
What does it mean to be like Jesus, and why is it important? The song article you will be directed to this week is called “To Be Like You”, and it focuses on the Sermon on the Mount and the act of forgiveness. But in this devotional, we are going to look at what it means to mirror Jesus to others.
When Jesus came physically into this world, he came as a human being. God is incomprehensible to the human mind, but God loves us so much that he came down in a form that we could understand – the man, Jesus. Jesus was fully human, but also fully God. He was, in fact, a reflection of God.
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
John 14:6-9a (NLT)
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”
Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!”
Jesus came to earth to show us who God was, and now, Christians are asked to show a fallen world who Jesus is. Jesus was a perfect representation of God the father, and sadly, we will fall quite short of that perfection, but we should still strive to come as close as we can through the powerful work of the Holy Spirit of Christ living in us.
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:16-17 (NLT, Emphasis mine.)
When you gave your life to Jesus, he came to live inside of you. Meditate on that for a moment. Jesus, the one who created the universe and created you, lives inside of you! He is not only with you, he is IN you every minute of every day. This is truly a life changing concept! Because of this, our job is really to let him work through us in everything we do. When we truly surrender ourselves to him and let him shine in us, we are able to overcome sin and reflect Jesus to a world that desperately needs it.
Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
Ephesians 4:21-32 (NLT)
So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Too many Christians look too much like the world. A Christian who is often worried, anxious, angry, petty, sinful, unforgiving, harsh, hopeless, joy-less, or stingy paints a poor picture of our Savior. Why would anyone want that?
Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.
1 Peter 3:13-16 (NLT)
This week, I challenge you to really meditate on the reality that Jesus is living inside of you. Visualize him there – feeling what you feel, hearing the thoughts in your head, seeing what you see, and hearing what you hear.
- When you are worried or afraid, see him there. See the look of peace and reassurance on his face, and hear him tell you that he is in control of all things.
- When you are tempted to sin, think about him looking at that same temptation through your eyes. Hear him tell you that he is here for you and that his strength is enough to overcome.
- When you are emotionally hurt, feel him sharing that pain with you and then let him take it for you. Let his joy flow through your heart.
- When you are offended, feel his forgiveness and peace flow through you. Let him pray through you for the person causing the offense.
- When you see the vacant look in a stranger’s eyes, see him looking through your eyes at the same stranger with love and compassion. Ask him to act and pray through you for that stranger.
- When you feel insecure or inadequate, remember that the Creator of the universe has taken residence inside you! Listen to his words of encouragement and let his strength and ability flow through you.
- In everything you say and do, see him living in you and allow him to shine through you!
Jesus, it is so amazing to know that you are right here living inside of me! Help me to grasp that and live my life in such a way as to reflect you to a world in need of hope. See through my eyes, and let me see things as you would see them. Shape my thoughts so they come in line with your will. Allow me to feel your forgiveness and grace and extend that to others. Let me be your hands, feet, and voice. Work through me in all I say and do that I may reflect you to a desperate world. Amen.
Songs of Victory
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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