Are You a Reflection of Christ?
The Lord gave me a
dream concerning the importance of reflecting Christ’s attributes in our lives.
I dreamed that my wife and I were standing in front of a large glass window
watching the clouds go by. The dream was very colorful, as well as in
high-definition quality; it was very unique, with an almost three-dimensional
quality to it. The vapor-like white clouds were spiraling by with speed. I then noticed a perfectly shaped heart cut
out in the clouds, and I pointed this out to my wife. I then saw the head of
Christ in the clouds; his head was very round, with white curly hair and beard
that resembled wool (Rev 1:14).
I then noticed a man standing next to us, also watching the
clouds. The man looked like the image of Christ that we saw in the clouds. He
was very Jewish in appearance, however, his hair was black and curly with no
beard. His nose, light blue eyes, and olive skin tone, were distinctively
Semitic. His appearance did not resemble the pictures of Christ that we have
all seen. I walked over to him to ask if he was God. Before I could say a word,
he looked me in the eye, and said, “I am the Angel of the Lord.” He began to
quote many scriptures. He said
repeatedly, “God’s Word says…,” or “Christ said...” He began to teach me to
love all people by being a reflection of Christ. I understood that the angels
of the Lord are all reflections of the attributes of Christ, and that is why
his appearance was like Christ. I then noticed that four or five men appeared
on the right side of the angel. One man began to mock the holiness message that
the angel proclaimed. Then all of the men began to quarrel amongst themselves.
The angel walked behind each man, placed his hand on his right shoulder, and
said repeatedly, “Stop it! Stop quarreling with each other!” Then the angel
began to teach them to love one another, as well as to pursue peace with all
men.
It is God’s desire that we reflect his attributes in our
lives. We live in a fallen world and we are born with an iniquity nature. By
the indwelling presence of God’s Holy Spirit, we can reverse this and display
his divine nature in our lives. God’s Word teaches us that we are to put sin to
death in our lives. If a person will surrender all to Christ, as well as be
filled with His Spirit, they will have the ability to live a sanctified (set
apart or purified) life. The angels of God have taught me that unless believers
get sin out of their lives they will be lost. God’s desire is for his children
to have unconditional love for one another and live a purified life, bearing
much good fruit.
1 John 3:3-10 And
everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 4
Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He was manifested to take
away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.
6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him
nor known Him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices
righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil
has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested,
that He might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in
him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 10 In this the
children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not
practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.
When God became a man and dwelled among us, he revealed to
us the way of righteousness. Christ taught mankind the truths of the Kingdom of
Heaven, and dispelled the traditions of men. Manmade religion had replaced the
truth in his day, but Christ came to set things in order. In the beatitudes,
Christ taught us how we are to become a reflection of his divine nature (Matt
Chapter 5). He said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.” Even though a person may be poor monetarily in this world,
if they are in Christ (in spirit) they are rich. A person may gain the whole
world then lose their soul. The rich cannot buy their way into Heaven, but the
poor in Christ will inherit the wealth of God’s kingdom. Where your treasure
is, there your heart will be also.
Christ said, “Blessed
are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.” I am well acquainted with
grief; I have suffered the loss of most of my immediate family. My faith in the
Lord gave me the strength to overcome this grief, as well as to have sympathy
for those who experience loss. Instead of being consumed with my sorrow, I
chose to let God bring healing to me. Christ is close to the brokenhearted and
he desires to be their comfort. Since my loss, God has blessed me with a
wonderful new wife who is my perfect match. If you have suffered the loss of
loved ones, call out to the Lord in prayer and he will answer you. Draw close
to the Lord and lean on his everlasting arms.
Christ also said, “Blessed are the meek, For they shall
inherit the earth.” The meek are those who are slow to anger. They understand
how to use self-control. The tongue is an unruly member of our body, which has
the potential to cause great harm to us, as well as others. The old saying that
loose lips sink ships is very true. If a person is slow to speak, and quick to
listen, they are very wise. Christians who choose their words very carefully,
will display good fruit that others may imitate. Outbursts of wrath will harm
your testimony, as well as push people away from you.
Matt 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, For they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they
shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
Most people today don’t give God, or his ways, a second
thought. Many are into physical fitness but they ignore their spiritual
fitness. God is looking for humble people who will have a hunger for righteous
ways, instead of sin. The Lord will fill those who seek after Him, and desire
to reflect His attributes. If the Holy Spirit indwells us, we should allow His
divine nature to shine forth through us.
The Lord will judge each of us based on how we treat others.
Christ said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” God’s Word
teaches us, that if we forgive others their trespasses against us, the Lord
will also forgive us our trespasses (Matt 6:14). In addition, if we show mercy
to others, then the Lord will show mercy to us. In verse 7 Christ said,
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matt 18:23-35, Is the parable of the
unforgiving servant. Christ said that the kingdom of heaven is like a certain
king who had a servant who owed him ten thousand talents. The servant pleaded
with the king to have mercy on him, and not to sell him and his family. The
king chose to have mercy upon this servant, and to release him, as well as
forgive his debt. This servant then went to one of his fellow servants who owed
him money, and grabbed him by the throat, and demanded to be paid in full. This
servant fell at his feet and begged him to have patience, but he refused to
have mercy upon this servant. Instead, he had his fellow servant thrown in
jail, until he could be paid in full. Then the king had this wicked servant
delivered to the tortures because he refused to have compassion upon his fellow
servant. Verse 35 states, “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of
you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” The greatest
commandment is to love the Lord our God, as well as love our neighbor as our
self. If we have this Christ like love for one another, then we fulfill the law
and the prophets.
Christ also said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they
shall see God.” The pure in heart are those who have died to their old nature
of sin, and have been washed clean by the blood of the Lamb. Water baptism is
symbolic of dying to our old nature and being raised to life as a new creation in
Christ. To the pure, all things are pure, to the defiled, all things are
unclean. Are you into religion or have you been born again?
Verse 9, Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be
called sons of God.
Relationships with family, friends, co-workers, or
schoolmates can quite often be difficult. Daily, we interact with many
different personality types and that will sometimes lead to conflicts. In this
life, you don’t have to look for trouble for trouble to find you, but God’s
Word teaches us how to respond to others. God expects His children to pursue
peace with all men. This may seem impossible to some, but with God’s help, all
things are possible.
The root of
bitterness will lead to hate, which is the same as the sin of murder according
to Christ. In Matt 5:23,24, Christ said, that when you bring your gift to the
altar, and then remember that your brother has something against you, go and be
reconciled with your brother then come and offer your gift. Matt 18:21 Then
Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me,
and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to
you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” In this passage, Christ
was telling Peter that we are to forgive our brother’s sins against us,
countless times. If we have a conflict
with someone, we should be quick to make reconciliation with them. True love
will keep no records of wrongs. The peacemakers are those who reflect spiritual
maturity.
Matt 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for
righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are
you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you
falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward
in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
If you truly live for Christ, you will go against the grain
of society, and this will result in persecution. It is easy to follow the
crowd, but it takes a strong person to take a stand for Godliness. The lost
expect you to talk, dress, as well as act like them. People don’t like to be
around someone who makes them uncomfortable by convicting them of their sin.
However, true love will warn those who are on the path to Hell. Regardless of
how others treat you, a true Christian will reflect the attributes of Christ.
When people observe your genuine faith and character, they may desire to have
that same faith that can set them free. Christians should always remember that
people are watching us to see if we are genuine or phony. God expects His
children to be salt and light to this dying world.
Matt 5:13 "You
are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be
seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled
underfoot by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket,
but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your
light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your
Father in heaven.
Christ taught that we are to be the salt of the earth. Salt
is still the most used seasoning in the world, and without salt, food would be
very tasteless. Christians are to be the seasoning of the world by reflecting
the attributes of Christ. If there is spiritual compromise in your life, you
have lost your flavor and are good for nothing. If you are a hypocrite, the
world will know it, and you will be trampled underfoot by men. I have heard
many people scoff at those who profess to know Christ but act, talk, or joke
like the world. We must all be careful to maintain a good testimony before
everyone because the world is watching. You may be a person’s only lifeline for
salvation, and you may push people toward or away from Christ.
Christ said that we are the light of the world; a city set
on a hill that cannot be hidden. Some people try to hide their faith in order
to fit in with the crowd, but if you are truly born again, this is impossible.
Christ said that if you deny him before men, he would deny you before his
Father in heaven. That is why we must confess Christ before men not only
verbally, but also by our lifestyle. Christ also said that they don’t put a
lamp under a basket, but on a lampstand, so that it can give light to the whole
house. He said to let your light so shine before men that they may see your
good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Do you bring reproach or glory to
Christ? If you will allow the Holy Spirit to shine through you, you may draw
people to Christ. If you show love instead of hate, or patience instead of
anger, or diligence instead of laziness, you will be an example to a world that
has lost its way.
Matt 5:17 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law
or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I
say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no
means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one
of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least
in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called
great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your
righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will
by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus Christ
fulfilled every letter and stroke of the Law and wiped out the requirements of
it, as well as took it out of the way through his death upon the cross (Col
2:14-17). The Lord’s atonement provided
for a new covenant that is based upon faith, as well as grace for sins that are
repented of. The Law, or attempting to live by the Law is not wrong, but the
Law is no longer a requirement for salvation.
The Law given to Moses by angels was necessary to teach us about sin, it
was our school master, and as children the Israelites were kept by it, but as
children they were also slaves to it (Gal 3:19-25). But through Christ’s atonement upon the cross
we have now been justified by faith and are no longer slaves to the Law, but
free men who are sons, heirs of God (Gal 4:1-7). To put the heavy yoke of the
Mosaic Law upon the necks of free men is to bring them under bondage, as well
as a curse (Gal 3:10-14). The apostle Paul said that to be entangled again with
the yoke of bondage by trying to be justified by the Law, would make you
estranged from Christ, as well as fallen from grace.
The early New Testament Christians, as well as Christians
today, were and are being influenced by those who teach that we are required to
keep the Mosaic Law. The apostles and
elders of the church at Jerusalem, under the leadership of James, the brother
of Christ, made a decree concerning this matter. They were all in agreement
that the keeping of the Law should not be required of the Gentile Christians.
They only asked that they would abstain from sexual immorality, eating food
sacrificed to idols, eating of things strangled, as well as the consumption of
blood. No further requirements were put
upon these new converts. However, the New
Testament is clear that we need to be born again in order to be truly
saved. To be born again, we must repent
and turn away from our sins, as well as, live a separated lifestyle from that
of the sinful world. We must truly make
Jesus Christ the Lord of every area of our lives. The Law and the Prophets are
fulfilled in one statement, “You must love the Lord your God with all your
heart, mind, body, and soul.
Matt 5:21 "You have heard that it was said to those of
old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the
judgment.' 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a
cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother,
'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall
be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and
there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift
there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother,
and then come and offer your gift. 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while
you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the
judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26
Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have
paid the last penny. 27 "You have heard that it was said to those of old,
'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a
woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29
If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it
is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole
body to be cast into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it
off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your
members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
The Lord looks upon the heart of each one of us, and he has
made it clear that the sin of the mind, or the eyes, is as serious as the
action. If you are angry, or hate your brother without cause, you are guilty of
murder. If you call your brother Raca (dumb head, or idiot), you shall be in
danger of the council, or if you call him a fool, you shall be in danger of
hell fire. God expects his children to pursue peace with all men, and
name-calling, which results from anger, is forbidden with God. God’s Word also
says that it is possible to be angry and not sin, but we are not to let the sun
go down upon our wrath. In other words, we are to make peace, as soon as
possible with the trespasser. If they refuse to make peace, we are to still
forgive them in our heart before the day is ended. Bitterness dries up the
bones according to God’s Word. It is also a medical fact that people who are
angry and bitter a lot are candidates for cancer, heart attacks, strokes, as well
as other diseases. In verses 23 and 24, Christ said, that when you bring your
gift to the altar, and then remember that your brother has something against
you, go and be reconciled with your brother then come and offer your gift. This
passage shows that grudges against others, will hurt your relationship with the
Lord, as well as cut you off from his blessings. Quiet often, not forgiving
others will also block a person from healings, as well as hinder their prayers
from being answered.
If you look upon a
woman to lust after her, you have already committed adultery with her in your
heart. The Lord emphasized how serious the sins of the mind are, by saying that
it would be better to pluck your eye out, or cut off your hand off, if they
cause you to sin, rather than to be cast into hell. Sexual lust, pornography,
as well as hate, will send you to hell, unless you repent and turn from them.
There is no grace for un-repented sin.
Christ said, “But I say to you that whoever divorces his
wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and
whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery” (Matt 5:32). I have
heard many people say that marriage is just a piece of paper. The truth is that
marriage is a sacred covenant between a man, a woman, and God. The Lord takes
marriage vows seriously and so should we. When you vow to stand by your mate in
sickness and in health, until death do you part, you are entering into a
spiritual, as well as a physical contract. When you are married, the two become
one flesh. Marriage is a spiritual union that no one should interfere with.
Adultery is a serious sin that will lead to damnation if one does not repent.
Adultery is the only biblical grounds for divorce. If you put your spouse away
because you are tired of them and feel that the grass is greener on the other
side, you are committing sin. If you are divorced without biblical grounds and
marry another, you, as well as your new spouse, are guilty of adultery. Divorce
is especially hard on children, and it is very selfish to put them through a
family breakup. If you are considering cheating on your spouse, please consider
all of the people you will hurt, including God.
Christ said, you shall not swear falsely, but shall perform
your oaths to the Lord. Christ also said, to “let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your
'No,' 'No', for whatever is more than these is from the evil one” (Matt 5:37).
As Christians, we should hold the truth in high regard, as well as live honest
lives. We should not make oaths to God, or to others that we cannot keep. If we
make a promise to someone and then break our word, he or she may blaspheme our
faith. We may bring a reproach upon Christ through falsehood. The world is
watching us and we must maintain a good testimony.
Christ came that he might bring light to the world by
revealing the truths of the Father. Under the old covenant, people would
recompense evil for evil. It was eye for eye, or tooth for tooth, but Christ
showed us a better way. Christ said, “But I tell you not to resist an evil
person. But, whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak
also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks
you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away” (Matt
5:38-42). This may sound unfair to some, but Christ was teaching us to overcome
evil with good, so that we might lead people to salvation. We are not to only
have a good reputation with fellow believers, but with the world also. If a
person takes you to court over an issue, sometimes it is better to let them
win, rather than engage them in a dispute.
Christ also taught us
not to render insult for insult, but to pursue peace with all men. In the time
of the Roman Empire, a soldier might require a person to carry their armor for
them. Christ said that if you are compelled to go a distance with them, go twice
the distance. This act of kindness is being a reflection of the attributes of
Christ, who came to be a servant. We are not above our master. Christ came to serve rather than to be
served, and we should have the same heart. By washing the feet of his
disciples, Christ taught us humility, as well as to put the needs of others
before our own. The humble shall be exalted and the proud brought low. We
should also give to him who asks, and turn not away someone who wants to
borrow. Sharing with others, especially those in need is bearing good fruit.
James taught that faith without works is dead. James states, that if you see
your brother or sister naked, or hungry, and say to them, “be warm and filled,”
but do not give him what he needs, then your faith is dead.
James 2:14 What does
it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?
Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily
food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,"
but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it
profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
It is not easy to love those who mistreat you, but through
the power of God’s indwelling Holy Spirit, it is possible. On the cross Christ
said, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Christ gave us an
example of loving His enemies, as he was being severely mistreated. Christ
taught us to do good to those who hate us, use us, or persecute us, as well as
to bless those who curse us. We are to pray for those who mistreat us, rather
than to seek vindication (Matt 5:43-48). If you learn to love the unlovely,
then you are truly spiritually mature.
I admire the good
work of ministries like the Salvation Army, homeless shelters, and food banks.
They show the love of Christ to the hungry and homeless by living what they
preach. My wife and I used to do volunteer work for a Salvation Army homeless
shelter and it was very fruitful. A person is more likely to listen to your
testimony if you are showing loving kindness toward them rather than begging
for their money. If the church would learn to be givers rather than takers,
then we would see a large harvest of souls overnight. The wheat and the tares
grow together in Christianity, but the day is coming when the tares will be
removed, and cast into the fire. Consider Christ’s teaching on the separation
of the sheep and the goats on judgment day. The sheep, who enter God’s kingdom,
are those who have fed the hungry, gave water to the thirsty, gave shelter to
the stranger, clothed the naked, visited the sick and prisoner. The goats that
go into punishment are those who have NOT done these things for their fellow
man. If we claim to know Christ, we should have love, accompanied by action,
for our fellow man.
Matt 25:31 "When
the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He
will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before
Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his
sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set
the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will
say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the
kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry
and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and
you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited
Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'
37 Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see
You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You
a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You
sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 40 And the King will answer and say to
them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of
these My brethren, you did it to Me.'
41 Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart
from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire
prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave
Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you
did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you
did not visit Me.' 44 Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did
we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and
did not minister to You?' 45 Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I
say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did
not do it to Me.' 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but
the righteous into eternal life."
In response to the question, “who is my neighbor?” Christ
taught the parable of the Good Samaritan. Christ said that there was a man who
went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among thieves, who stripped him of
his clothing, wounded him, and left him half-dead. A priest and a Levite, passed by him on the
other side of the road and would not help him. But, a certain Samaritan saw him
and had compassion for him. The Samaritan bandaged his wounds, poured oil, and
wine on them, and brought him to an inn. He paid the innkeeper to care for the
man until he returned. Christ said that the true neighbor was the Samaritan,
because he showed mercy to the man who fell among thieves. Christ also said, to
go and do likewise (Luke 10, 29-37).
