To reflect is to mirror back whatever is coming into something. Thus, to reflect Christ is to allow what is coming into us to come out as visible evidence He is within. We also have an example of this when we look in a mirror. Our image hits the mirror and bounces back to us. In II Corinthians 3:18, Paul speaks about how we should reflect the glory of the Lord. In studying I find three mirrors in scripture that reflect the glory of the Lord.
II Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
The first mirror I see is His reflection in creation. Before man came on the scene, God had already made a perfect world. In Psalm 19:1, David proclaims the heavens and firmament declare His glory. His creation reflects His majesty and His power. Albert Barnes says, “The word glory here means that which constitutes the glory or honor of God – his wisdom, power, skill, faithfulness, benevolence, as seen in the world. The idea is, that these convey to the mind a true impression of the greatness and majesty of God.” Truly, as you look at nature, you can see His glory reflected in everything, especially in areas where man has no control, such as the weather. Man cannot replicate creation’s beauty. He cannot replicate creation’s power. The force of a hurricane, the destruction of a tornado, or the quenching of the earth’s thirst with His rain, are all guided by God. All of these display the glory of our majestic God.
Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showed his handiwork.”
The second area where we can see His glory is in His church. Not a building or a certain denomination, but the true church. The true church is made up of all those who have placed their faith in Him. We are to bear the image of Christ in all our actions so that others will see His glory reflected from us. In II Corinthians 4:10-11, the word manifest means to make known. We see the glory of God being lived out in those who suffer persecution for Christ’s sake. We see it in those who suffer physically while still giving God all the glory for their lives. We see it in those who keep an eternal perspective on all the choices they make in life. I will never forget the words of my father a few months before he died. He had cancer and had gone through much suffering. On one of his good days, we were sitting and talking and he said to me, “This cancer is the best thing that could have happened to me.” He viewed his suffering with an eternal perspective. He had many opportunities to witness to people he would have never seen if he had not had cancer. If we are to reflect God’s glory, we too must have this attitude. We should say like Paul, “I die daily.”
II Corinthians 4:10-11 “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.”
I Corinthians 15:31 “I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.”
While both the church and creation are ways we can see the glory of God, they are both tainted with sin. The only reflection that is perfect is His word. In Psalm 19:7, we see that God’s word is perfect. It convicts the sinner and brings him to repentance. It makes those who are considered simple in thinking, wise. In the Word we see Jesus himself being revealed to us. As we read his word, the Holy Spirit enlightens us, and He guides us into all truth, as Jesus said in John 16:13. He is God the Spirit which comes to dwell within us at the point of salvation. As we read the word the Holy Spirit enlightens us so that we can understand. Understanding brings an opportunity to make an application. There is no greater reflection of the glory of God than His word. His word testifies to who He is in all of His glory.
Psalm 19:7 “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”
John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
Jesus said in John 5:39 that the scriptures testify of Him. The Old Testament told of His coming, His death, His resurrection, His power, His glory, His majesty, and His victory. The New Testament was a fulfillment of the Old Testament.
John 5:39 “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
All three, creation, the church, and the scriptures reflect who God is and His glory. We need to study the Word to see the most perfect reflection of Him. Then we need to live our lives according to the scriptures, to show others the glory of our God.
What do you reveal of the glory of God? Do others know by being in your presence that He is the best thing that ever happened to you? We talk about, brag about, and reflect the things that are the most important to us. What are you reflecting today?
