READINESS FOR THE LORD'S COMING

Colossians 1:27

Introduction

Apostle Paul says, "Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me." 1 Corinthians 4:15-16 (NIV). 

Reflect Christ, is what this statement stands for. He makes the statement more specific when he says, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV). A true father paves the way and leads his children on it. Do as I do because I am reflecting the exact life of Christ. "Leadership", they say, "is by example."

Jesus Christ, in His character, nature, works, and words, reflected exactly what the Father is like. He could say, "If you have seen me you have seen the Father" (John 14:9). For this, Paul writes, "The Son is the image of the invisible God" Colossians 1:15 (NIV)

The Glory of God

The glory of God in the Old Testament has been mainly the presence of God (Exo. 33:14-19; 1 Sam. 4:12-21)

In the New Testament era, the presence of God among the people - Immanuel became the indwelling of the Children of God, "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27 (NIV)

The glory of God can be put as the attitudes, qualities, and character of God. As we find in God's goodness, love, grace, mercy, faithfulness, etc. Therefore, to reflect the glory is to display the character, attitude, and qualities of God in a visible way to others (2 Cor. 3:12-13).

Distorted Reflection

In Genesis, God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness...So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:26,27 (NIV)

The man had originally been created to reflect the glory of God having been created in God's image. Sin distorted this reflection like a broken interspersed mirror. Every man is affected by sin and therefore gives a grotesque blasphemous distorted reflection of God.

Jesus came to save humanity from sin by restoring us into the exact image of God so that we could fulfill God's original purpose of creating us in His very image, reflecting Him. God saves us and puts us in the church to build us together to make His dwelling (Eph. 2:22). 

Since the world does know not Him, 

"His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to His eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord."

 

Ephesians 3:10-11 (NIV) God has chosen the church (men and women of faith) to be the vessel for revealing His glory.

Reflecting Christ

Jesus said, "I will build my church" and gave responsible men the duty to ensure His proper reflection. Paul draws on us today that the glorious work of God is a hidden mystery to the world, therefore, 

"To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Colossians 1:27 (NIV). 

It is the Christ in us that puts us into the perfect image of God which we ought to reflect to the world. No one can know Christ unless the Christian reflects the exact image of Him.

Can some persons imitate your life, and it will be the exact reflection of Christ?

In order to reflect Christ in the Corinthian church, Paul sends Timothy saying, 

"For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church."

1 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV). 

This principle also holds for us today. Once you become a member of Christ's fraternity, growth is a must therefore, we must devote ourselves to the Biblical teachings as our forefathers did.

Reflecting the glory of God is a call to remain in Him. (John 15:4). 

You need to establish a constant relationship with God always through your engagement in spiritual disciplines;

- Daily study and practice of the Word of God. 

- Constant meditation on the Word, Prayer, Fasting... (John 1:8; 1 Thess. 5:17)

- Obedience to God's word. (2 Tim. 2:15)

Conclusion

I cannot afford to let my own preferences, character quirks, or pet theologies distort the mirror that I am for Christ. I need my life, words, and character to be as straight as possible so that what I reflect is a true image of the one who sent me. In doing so, I then represent not just the church, but I display the nature of Christ and help to build a church that reflects Him. 

You need your life, words, and character to be as straight as possible, so that what you reflect as a man of faith would be the true image of the One who sent you.

Shalom aleichem...