When the water of a lake or gently flowing river is unruffled and clear, it reflects most beautifully the floating clouds and overhanging objects. It presents an appealing picture and offers feelings of peace and tranquillity to viewers.
When the water is agitated it becomes somewhat opaque or distorted. It loses its power of reflection and the attraction is lost.
So it is with Christians.
One who is a blood-bought, adopted child of the omnipotent, living God,
has been commissioned as an ambassador for Christ [2 Corinthians 5:20].
An ambassador
is one who represents the nation or person who commissions them
and is the ‘yardstick’ by which the sender is judged.
The world judges Christ by what they see in us!
When the life is controlled by Holy Spirit, how clear, strong, beautiful and appealing are its reflections of the things of Christ. He is revealed through us and is able to draw others to Himself.
But when the life is deadened by the influence of the world or corrupted by sin, its clearness and appeal disappears, and the character of Christlikeness is lost.
Matthew 5:14,16 NKJV
You are the light of the world.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven.
Ephesians 5:8,14 NLT
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord.
So LIVE AS PEOPLE OF LIGHT!
1 Peter 2:9 NKJV
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
His own special people,
so that you may proclaim the praises
of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.
We are the only Bible
The careless world will read.
We are the sinner’s Gospel,
We are the scoffer’s creed.
We are the Lord’s last message
Given in deed and word.
WHAT IF THE TYPE IS CROOKED?
WHAT IF THE PRINT IS BLURRED?
Annie Johnson Flint
We have an awesome responsibility to reflect the light, love, mercy and grace of Jesus to all we meet. We must NOT reflect an untrue picture or a distorted picture, for their eternity is at stake.
2 Corinthians 4:3,6
If our Gospel is hidden, it is hidden to those who are lost.
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,
has shined in our hearts,
to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God
in the face of Jesus Christ.
Father of eternal grace,
Glorify Thyself in me.
Sweetly beaming in my face,
May the world THY image see.
Author unknown
*************************************************************************************
The advertising which may appear below is not placed by the author
and is not to be considered as a part of this post or an expression of my views.
*************************************************************************************
MEETING IN THE CLOUDS 
Pingback: HOW ESSENTIAL IS LIGHT TO ETERNAL LIFE? | VINE AND BRANCH WORLD MINISTRIES.COM
Thanks for sharing, Dearest Angela
“When the life is controlled by Holy Spirit, how clear, strong, beautiful and appealing are its reflections of the things of Christ. He is revealed through us and is able to draw others to Himself.”
What a profound truth!! Simple, yet so perfectly true.
Hard to see Christ in us when we are all roiled up and affected by the cares of life. (Ouch …)
Blessings,
ann
LikeLike
Reblogged this on HOPE and PEACE In An Uncertain World and commented:
Such simple words… such profound truth!! Wanted to share…
LikeLike
Thanks for the reblog, Stephanie.
May we all reflect Him to those we meet.
LikeLike
Dear sister Angela… I praise our Almighty Heavenly Father for your words of truth. I have been ill, so I have not written, but I would like to reblog this.
Blessings to you…
Stephanie
LikeLike
I haven’t been here for a couple of weeks either, Stephanie.
Continuing to pray for your health and well being.
Angela
LikeLike
Amen Angela! In these days we so need to be an ever increasing light for the Lord. May I be one!
LikeLike
May we ALL be one, J.
Then the world will see Him and be changed!
LikeLike
Amen!
LikeLike
I’m not sure how it fits in, but as a photographer I’m fascinated how the reflection often has deeper, and more vibrant hues than the subject.
I’d call that magnification.
How very few of us magnify Christ.
Our reflection is oh, so, pale.
LikeLike
So true, Stephen. Thanks for adding that thought.
A pale reflection is better than a muddled, corrupt one, but it is NOT what we SHOULD be . . . bright, shining lights (reflections) of His purity, love, mercy and grace.
LikeLike
The timeless song reflects your message Angela,
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.
Thank you for your timely reminder for we forget so easily.
LikeLike
That song was in my mind all the time I was preparing this post, Evelyn, so thank you for adding it.
LikeLike
Some of my favorite pictures involve reflections that you have to really study to know which way is the actual and which is the reflection. A great goal in our lives, to reflect Jesus so clearly!
LikeLike
If all God’s blood-bought, adopted children reflected a TRUE image of Christ, the world wouldn’t have a leg to stand on. We would see amazing changes as He is exalted and draws others to Himself.
LikeLike
This was so good for me to hear today, Mentor Angela! Thank you! Praying to reflect His light, love, mercy and grace each day to those He sends me to and through the work He gives me to do. You are such a blessing! God bless you too!
LikeLike
Debbie, I praise God for the way He used you to shine His light to all through your ‘simple poems’. I know He continues to bless you and use you to bless others as you continue to reflect Him.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on My Delight and My Counsellors.
LikeLike
Thanks for the reblog.
LikeLike
Such a beautiful picture and example of how we should reflect our Savior. I remember hearing an old story of how, back in the day, silver-smith’s purified silver… They’d heat it and when the crud came to the surface, they’d skim off the dross, turn up the heat and repeat, until at last, after many increases in heat and skimmings, they’d look into the pot and see themselves reflected–then they’d know it had been purified.
LikeLike
I remember that illustration too. Praise God for His work in His own blood-bought, adopted children, as He continues His work of refining us and making us more Christlike. One day soon we will be presented faultless before His throne and will know the blessedness of worshipping Him with no distractions.
LikeLike
Pingback: What is the ‘true gospel’ taught in the Bible? | Jlue’s Weblog
It is my prayer that the Lord intervene in the Christian’s life and give him the grace to always show forth His glory through our thoughts, words and deeds. Lord bless you Angela. Thanks for the reminder of our need to ever serve Him.
LikeLike
Amen Rob! The world is lost in darkness and it is up to the redeemed to show forth His light – the only light which can bring peace, joy, an abundant life and an eternal life.
LikeLike
May the reflection of Christ shine out of me!
LikeLike
May His reflection shine from all His blood-bought, adopted children . . . then the world will see Christ and He will draw them to Himself.
LikeLike
Hallelujah!
LikeLike