Romans 12:9-11 (NKJV)
9 Let love be
without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be
kindly affectionate [loving] to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving
preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in
spirit, serving the Lord.
It seems that since God
made humans in His own image, humans have been “returning the favor” by making
God into an image that best represents their own personality. Have you ever
noticed that mean people have a mean god, while judgmental people have a judgmental
god, lazy people have a carefree god, just anything goes? There are many kinds
of people who justify their character and actions by creating God into their
image, thereby nullifying the truth of the scriptures. Scripture says God is
working to conform us to Christ’s image, but we are busy conforming Christ to
our image.
When people meet you today, what kind of god
will you represent? Will they see a loving and merciful God, patient and full
of grace? Will they see a God who is willing to serve rather than be served? Remember
our God in Christ washed human feet. I don’t know of any other gods that would
do that. Many times it is our own unyielding personalities that become
hindrances for the world to see Jesus who lives in us. They can’t see Him for
us, they just see a non-conformed personality.
The bible teaches that we are to be Christ
like.
Ephesians
5:1-2 (NKJV) 1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear
children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself
for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
The best way to behave
like a Christian is to yield ourselves to what Scripture teaches us about
Christ. When we become followers of Jesus, and His Spirit takes up residence in
us, we have access to His divine nature. 2 Peter
1:3-4 (NKJV)
3 His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
3 His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Conforming to His image will
manifest itself as described in the scriptures we began with.
We will find ourselves on
a mission, diligent, persistent about the Father’s business as we serve the
Lord every day, where ever we are and whatever we are doing.
The
bible says in; 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NKJV)
20 We are ambassadors [representatives] for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
20 We are ambassadors [representatives] for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
We are to show people the correct image of a
loving, merciful, gracious and forgiving God. Let others see Jesus in you!
Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me represent You well to everyone I
meet. May others know that You are real by my actions and attitude. Teach me
how to be more like You. Please empower me to love the unlovable, be kind to
the unfriendly; and be merciful and gracious to those who may not know You. And
above all, help me speak the truth in love. In Your name Jesus I pray!
Invitation:
What kind of God do you represent in your everyday words and actions, attitude? Do others
see Jesus in you? Do you need to repent of your actions? Do you need salvation? if so ask Jesus to forgive your sins against God and ask Him to save you. Then invite Him into your heart to live in you. Go to church and be baptized! You will be ever so glad you did.
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