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Reflecting Christ’s Image, February 21
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.
2 Corinthians 3:18
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Looking unto Jesus, dwelling upon His virtues, mercies, and purity
will create in the soul an utter abhorrence for that which is sinful, and
an intense longing and thirsting for righteousness. The more closely we
discern Jesus, the more will we see our own defects of character: then
confess these things to Jesus and with true contrition of soul co-operate
with the divine power, the Holy Spirit, to put these things away.
It is the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, which Jesus said He would send
into the world, that changes our character into the image of Christ; and
when this is accomplished, we reflect, as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord.
That is, the character of the one who thus beholds Christ is so like His,
that one looking at him sees Christ’s own character shining out as from a
mirror. Imperceptibly to ourselves we are changed day by day from our
own ways and will into the ways and will of Christ, into the loveliness of
His character. Thus we grow up into Christ, and unconsciously reflect His
image.
It is not by looking away from Him that we imitate the life of Jesus,
but by talking of Him, by dwelling upon His perfections, by seeking to
refine the taste and elevate the character, by trying, through faith and love,
and by earnest, persevering effort, to approach the perfect Pattern. By
having a knowledge of Christ—His words, His habits and His lessons of
instruction—we borrow the virtues of the character we have so closely
studied, and become imbued with the spirit we have so much admired. Je-
sus becomes to us “the chiefest among ten thousand,” the One “altogether
lovely.”
When the soul is brought into close relationship with the great Author
of light and truth, impressions are made upon it revealing its true position
before God. Then self will die, pride will be laid low, and Christ will draw
His own image in deeper lines upon the soul.
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