I imagine we all know what a refection is. It's like when we look into a mirror and see "ourself." According to Webster it means (A) the production of an image by or as if by a mirror, (B) something produced by reflecting, and (C) an effect produced by an influence.
To reflect means (A) to bring about a specified appearance or characterization, (B) to have a bearing or influence. It also means to think quietly or calmly. This is what this article is about - reflection or reflecting.
Our scripture is the latter part of Acts 11:26. "And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." As I have mentioned before, the word Christian means "follower of Christ; Christlike or like Christ."
The Apostle Paul even told the Roman Christians (by letter) to "Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof."
To put on Christ, ones life should show forth the qualities or characteristics of Christ.
During a recent stay in the hospital I began to reflect on my life as a Christian. I thought, "Does my life reflect Christ?" Then I began to think of some of the characteristics of Christ. He showed love and kindness to those He came in contact with, so, we too who say we are Christians should also show love and kindness to other.
1 John 4:7-8 says "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.:
Matthew 5:44 "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you."
Christ was also kind. Titus 3:3-4 says "for we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice, and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared."
We all have been guilty of the above things, but then the kindness and love of God toward men appeared, and changed the hearts and live of those who accepted HIm.
In Galatians 5:22-23 we read about the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. It goes on to say (verse 25) "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." To me this is another way of saying our life (the way we live, walk, act, talk - everything about us) should reflect Christ. He is the influence in a Christian's life that brings about the specified characteristics of Christ.
I believe Galatians 2:20 gives the formula, so to speak, on what to do in order for our life to reflect Christ. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me."
Crucifixion with Christ means "death to or separation from the reigning power of the old sinful life and freedom to experience the power of the resurrection life of Christ by faith." In other words, yield yourself daily to Christ. Do not give in to the lusts of the flesh but by faith in Christ, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7.
The more we submit or yield ourselves to God, the more our lives will reflect Him. As Galatians 2:20 states: "Nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." He is the influence that brings about the production of His reflection in our life.
Does your life reflect Christ? Just as our children take on some of our character traits, we as God's children should live so as to show forth Christ and His love.
I pray that each of us will grow in Christ daily and live a life pleasing unto Him.
Jessie Lee Harris