What an amazing thought! Of all the creatures in the universe only we humans are created in the image of God. While angels and animals are created beings the Bible tells us that they are not created in the image of God. But praise God we are created to be image bearers of Jesus to the world we live in. I like how Nancy Leigh DeMoss shares what being an image bearer of God entails: “God want us to put Him on display, so that everyone who looks at us sees the beauty of His image. It’s a profound honor and responsibility to bear the image of God.”1
I believe that as ambassadors for Christ we, in the words of DeMoss, have been entrusted with the “profound honor and responsibility to bear the image of God.” What about you? When people see you do they also see the beauty of Christ reflected in our walk and talk. Have you ever wondered why Jesus didn’t take us to be with Him in heaven the moment we got saved, but instead left us here on earth? I really think God wants to use us to showcase just how wonderful Jesus is to the world we inhabit with the hope that many will want to get to know who Jesus is and hopefully enter into a personal relationship with Him.
My sincere prayer is that we take our role as ambassadors for Christ seriously since we are often the only Bible that people will read and our testimony and life will either draw people toward Christ or away from Him. Our job as ambassadors for Christ is to reflect His beauty to a world that is in desperate need of a fresh touch from above. When we do this we will show others just how wonderful a Savior we serve and hopefully draw many to consider making Jesus their Savior too.
And isn’t this what the Christian walk is all about – to glorify Jesus to a dying world with the hope that many will see His beauty and their need to come to Him for salvation. My friends as image bearers of Christ let your light shine so the world will see the beauty of the Lord and their desperate need to come to Jesus.
1 Inspirational Quotes by Nancy Leigh DeMoss – page 3 (bibleportal.com)
“And isn’t this what the Christian walk is all about – to glorify Jesus to a dying world with the hope that many will see His beauty and their need to come to Him for salvation. “
There is no question that salvation is the all important first step but we must ask, “Then what?” To be “saved” is a life long venture that puts us back into covenant relationship with God. What does that mean? What was God’s covenant plan from the very beginning? To answer this question we must go back to Genesis. Man was to have dominion, multiply and subdue the earth. Did man’s sinful disobedience change God’s plan? Absolutely not!
The continuation of this plan is possible because the second Adam told us He came to destroy the works of the devil and to overcome the evil world system. Now, He is making His enemies His footstool. All of that made possible by His death, resurrection and ascension, where He has been given “all authority.” Then, He sent the Spirit so we can continue His work and be part of transforming this world. Too many Christians today talk of imminently “escaping” this world. Instead, we should be focused on God’s covenant plan to renew the earth that we will inherit and making disciples of whole nations.
So, our salvation is much more than a date of conversion but it’s a life of dedicated service to God’s covenant. This formula has been symbolized by the old adage, “the Sword and the Trowel.” We fight to defeat the evil in the world but we also build what will become the new earth. We need to bring Christian influence into all of life: science, the arts, politics, family, work, economics, all of it. This is what the Christian walk is all about.
Amen! Help us to shine your light and be what You want us to be for your glory. Praying for your upcoming conference Curt.