Reflections

It has been said that we, as Christians, should be reflections of God’s love.

One evening, I noticed the reflection of some trees in the pond. The Holy Spirit allowed me to see some truths that I have never considered before. A reflection exists by the light and by the reflective quality of the water. The reflections in the water were exact inverted images of the objects above the water. Immediately, I was able to draw parallels between the physical and the spiritual and realized some truths that helped me to understand that we are absolutely nothing without God.

Like the reflection, we were created in God’s image. The trees beside the pond first had to exist before a reflection could be created. The reflection created was in the image of the trees. Trees are essential in converting harmful carbon dioxide into life-giving oxygen. In the Great Exchange, Jesus took our sins and gave us His righteousness and eternal life. Also consider what God does with our trials…converts them to testimonies that are a reflection of His love and a witness to others.

A reflection does absolutely nothing. It simply exists…it does not have to work to exist. It does not toil or exist by means of its own labor. Jesus Christ came so that we may have life (John 10:10). Eternal life is free, and there is no work by which it may be earned…it is only through what JESUS HAS DONE that we receive life the grace and faith to walk in His light and to be a reflection of Him .

In order to be a reflection of God’s love and to reflect the attributes of Christ in our walk, we need two things…grace and faith. The Bible tells us that we have been given grace and that we have also been given a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). We were spiritually bankrupt… we had no hope in life and no hope of receiving eternal life outside of receiving the gifts of God’s grace and faith. Like the light and the water, these are two essential things that we receive to become like Him. 

 I John 1:5 and 7 says, “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all…if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another…”  In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” 

Without Jesus Christ, darkness prevails and there is no perception of God’s love. Without light, a reflection does not exist...because the reflection is a direct result of light. Everything that we do as Christians (faith) should be a direct response to what Christ has done for us. It should be an effortless act of His love (grace) in action.

Finally, consider that unless a reflection is seen or perceived, it essentially is non-existent. A reflection is not an object. It has no substance, and unless it is seen or observed, there is no proof that it exists. A reflection is the perception of the person who sees it. Unless we, as Christians, publicly walk in a manner that is worthy of our calling…a life that is a reflection of God’s love and righteousness, then how shall we be known and how will can we lead people to Jesus? We have to walk the walk and talk the talk! Scripture reveals that a follower of Christ will exhibit characteristics of the Father. “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs or thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits, ye shall know them.”-Jesus, Matthew 7:16-20.

It never ceases to amaze me that we can see God, His nature and the truth of life and life everlasting right before our very eyes. Within God’s creation are testimonies of Who He is and what He has done for us. I give Him thanks for the beauty of nature and the wonders of His love!

Be Blessed in Jesus’ Name,

Angie