Image Bearer

God Reflector

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.   John 5:19

Jesus reflected God in HIS words, motives, and actions. We are HIS apprentices. HE set the standard and pattern for us to follow.

I just finished reading the book Critical Journey by Janet Hagberg & Robert Guelich. The authors outlined their understanding to the stages in the life of faith. Their final stage is reflecting God. They summarize five stages one needs to move through before arriving at this last level. Whether you agree with each stage or not, one has to admit one doesn’t reflect God overnight. The life of faith is a process of maturity in Christ.

As one learns to trust Jesus, one moves through each stage maturing in the process. The process begins with first discovering God. Then learning about HIM. As we are discipled, we begin to work for HIM. But then something happens. We hit the spiritual wall. Our will comes face to face with God’s will. We either reconstruct and rediscover God or deconstruct and turn away from HIM. As we surrender to God we move with HIM in HIS work. As we continue this process, we begin to reflect HIM more and more.

Jesus reflected HIS Father God. So can we. HE has empowered us with HIS Spirit to live under HIS domain. As we grow in the knowledge and grace of Jesus, we start living the process. As we allow the Holy Spirit access into our inner being, we continue living the process.

The journey is lifelong. It takes a mother nine months to nurture and grow a baby in her womb. During each stage, the pre-born body is being shaped and prepared for an earthly life. Likewise, God’s new creation, you and me, the new self, over decades, is being shaped and prepared for a heavenly life.

You will hit many spiritual walls in your journey. Each wall allows us to move closer to discovering the authentic God. You will slowly remove the access baggage accumulated during the early days of your life. Your spirit, words, and actions will reflect God more often than not. As you near the end of your journey, you look forward to the birthing of a new you into the heavenly realm.

Yes, Jesus did reflect God on earth. So can we. But do we? Do we allow the Holy Spirit full access into our heart and mind to mold us into the person HE wants us to be? Are we at peace living the grace-paced life for HIS glory? Or are we still trying to figure it all out? Wherever you are at, always remember. HE is for you and with you. Lean on HIM. As you do, HE will reflect HIS glory through you.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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You

Dr. Mike 2022 , ,

Genesis 1:27

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

You are God’s image bearer. You reflect HIS Glory. Therefore, your value as a person is determined by your Creator.

Yes, you and every person you meet reflects a portion of God’s attributes and value.

Whether you are male or female, rich or poor, Jew or Gentile, slave or free, born or unborn, as a human agency, you were made to reflect God’s image and glory for the world to witness. Your value comes from HIM.

God so strongly emphasizes this point; HE gave decrees throughout Scripture to refrain mankind to create or make a stone or metal image of either HIMSELF or people (Deut. 4:16) to worship. Nothing was and is to replace mankind as image bearers of Almighty God which you and I are.

When you realize your life was designed to be a witness for others to represent HIM before all of creation, your attitude and focus becomes more aligned with HIS. As you slowly taste life from HIS perspective, you want more of HIM involved in your daily life. Your desire is to know more about HIM. Your aim is to become HIS student. Your hope is to become more like HIM. Overtime, HE, and you develop a Father/Child relationship. HE becomes your role model.

Life takes on new meaning. Every person you meet is a walking billboard of God Almighty. Every person has good qualities which allows you to learn more who God IS. Every person also has qualities which allows you to learn the opposite of who HE IS. For though each person is made in HIS image, we have all acquired godless attributes caused by the sin virus which weigh us down. But HE in HIS magnificent foresight, has already dealt with the situation through Jesus Christ.

In Jesus, we have the perfect representation of God. As a man-God, HE walked the earth living a sinless life by taking on our humanity within HIM and killing the penalty of SIN at HIS crucifixion. HE overcame life’s tribulations, even death at HIS resurrection, so that you and I may have life now and for all eternity. HIS life and story are the good news for all image bearers.

Jesus opened the door for every person to have a direct relationship with HIS Father God. Everything HE did was to include you within HIS family. But you need to accept this fact, be reconciled to HIM, and live out the family culture.

Until then, you will find yourself struggling to discover who you are, looking for love, joy, and peace in all the wrong places, and in the process of fighting your true birthright, you most likely will become more despondent and angrier at yourself and those around you.

The real you is desirous to be fully released. But you need to allow your Creator access into the inner chamber of your heart. He will not force HIMSELF upon you. He respects you because HE respects HIMSELF. He made you in HIS image and has wired you for a purpose. Why not let HIM fully maximize your human and eternal potential?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books 

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