Devotion: Reflecting Christ’s Image

Reflections of the Savior
Ladies, here is the devotion I gave at our Ladies Luncheon May 12, 2018

No matter where we are or what we do, our lives must mirror our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Scripture tells us 2 Cor. 3 that we are epistles of the living God. That Scripture is telling us that we are actual letters that the world is reading…they are watching the way we live our lives…how we treat others…how we talk to them.

2 Corinthians 3:18 describes God’s purpose for us as Christians: “We all… are [being] changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

God’s purpose is fulfilled in us only when we are becoming more like Him. Christ-likeness isn’t about what I do for the Lord, but about how I’m being transformed into His likeness.”

Reflecting His likeness means that I should be unlearning all my old ways of thinking and doing, and begin learning new ways by allowing Him to reflect His characteristics through me.

God doesn’t just want us to have a revelation of Christ, but He wants us to be a reflection of Him. The question is: How can I be a reflection of Christ?

1. We mirror the image of Christ when we are genuine. When others see that we are genuine, they will see Christ’s real love through us. Nothing turns people away quicker than being a phony or a hypocrite.

Think about the women who have made the greatest impact on you. For me, it was women who I felt comfortable around…women I could pour my heart out to, and women I knew that they had genuine care and concern for me.

2. We mirror the image of Christ when we are unselfish. Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Many times we are guilty of setting our own agendas and schedules, and we fail to make room for our sisters who are hurting or just need some encouragement. If we are to mirror the character of Christ, we must be willing to be unselfish with our time and our resources.

3. We mirror the image of Christ when we are sensitive and full of sympathy. Sensitivity is the ability to get beneath the surface and understand what a person is really saying or thinking.

2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

4. We mirror the image of Christ when we are satisfied with who we are. Each one of us is created in His image. He has given us each of us a different personality. No one can walk the path that has been chosen for you. We are not to compare ourselves with each other. God shapes and molds each of us into what He desires for us to look and be like.

Psalm 139:13-14 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

We must view each other from a biblical perspective. Women, we will never be satisfied with who we are if we place our satisfaction in our possessions, performance, and appearance.

Possessions- The world programs us to think that we will be satisfied in things. Matthew 6:19 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. If I just had a better house, car, clothes, ….

Performance-The world tells us we will be satisfied if we perform better than others. If we are productive and have an important position…this will satisfy us.

Appearance-The world conditions us that if we stay beautiful and youthful…this will satisfy us. Think about this…if a beautiful woman receives praise all her life for her beauty, she will be devastated when she begins to age and her wrinkles come…when she loses the praise of others, she loses her satisfaction with herself.

God’s Word has the power to transform our mind and bring to light any darkness that is in our hearts. By reading and meditating on His Word, it develops our faith and personal holiness and helps us learn to see where Satan has placed lies in our minds.

5. We mirror the image of Christ in how we handle our trials. We all face different issues, struggle with sin, and past hurts of varying degrees. Satan wants to use these things to hinder our ability to live the life God desires for us. The world is watching us.

God tells us not to think it strange when we experience trials. He will allow these trials in our lives to conform us to His image. Why:
• To prepare us so that we may be able to comfort others.
• To prepare us for future service…Joseph Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
• To give us a bigger view of God. Job 42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
• To build our faith. My faith continues to grow as I look back at the ways God has answered my prayers and how He has worked in the life of our family.
• To purify our walk. There are times that you get so burdened down with daily duties that you begin to serve the Lord out of routine and not a true love for Him. It’s usually during those times that God has to send something into our lives to help purify our walk with Him. He helps us to refocus on Him and His purpose for our lives. Psalm 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
• To remove any pride or boasting. I think there is a tendency in all of us at times to think too highly of ourselves. Human nature sometimes causes us to assume the worst in others and the best in ourselves. God has to send things into our lives to help remove pride or boasting so that we may be more useful to Him. II Corin. 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
• To prove our real love for the Lord to Satan. I don’t really understand it, but Satan has access to heaven and the very throne of God. (Job 1:7) Satan reminds God about all of our failures. He says, “Look at Your saints; see what hypocrites they are. Judge them!” But Praise the Lord, Jesus stands at the Father’s right hand to intercede for us.” Ps. 17:3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

The Reflection in This Mirror

The reflection in this mirror…is that really me?
Or is it an image of what I want you to see?
The reflection in this mirror…shows me as a wife and a mother…
But there have been some days…I would just like to be another.
The reflection in this mirror…at times leaves my image distorted.
Have my failures and successes really been accurately reported?
The reflection in this mirror…is that really me?
In the chamber of my heart…what do I really want to see?
The reflection in this mirror…this is what I want it to be…
Growing and changing into an image that is acceptable to Thee.

Written by Judy Lewis May 3, 2018