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).
