Sadly many people live there life just this way. On the outside they appear to be "good." But behind closed doors they are something all together different. Whether it's greed, pride, gossip, addictions to drugs, alcohol, or p0rn0graphy, these things are quietly going on while the outside perception is that all is well.
With this perception, there comes no reason to change for the individual - after all "Image is everything!" Amazingly the root word of imagine is image. Imagine means to think, believe or fancy. So our outward image is really just imagined reality, a mirage. Reality becomes nothing, when image is everything.
However, there is another image that is everything. The Bible tells us that we were created in God's image. God created us to be like him. We were created in His form, appearance and semblance. We are to strive for righteousness to be like God.
It is said that 1% of unchurched people look at the Bible, while 99% look at the Christian. Strive to be more like God. Then your outward image won't be your everything. Your creation in the image of God will be the only thing that matters. You reality will be found in Christ.
Genesis 1:27 -- So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Matthew 5:16 -- In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Colossians 2:17 -- These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
23 comments:
Hey Kelly! This is a great post for any of us with low self esteem. Our aim in life should be to become more and more like Jesus each day. I have written a post on unity in my Church you may wish to read!
Love Collette xxx
I liked this post too. I am always amazed at how unchurched people will point out people that have gone astray and say "see that is how Chirstians really are" Someone just the other day pointed out that our Governor calls himself a Christian. No one is perfect but some of us just wish to be forgiven.
Great post Kelly! Great reminder that we are made in HIS image and that is what counts.
Love,
Beth
My grandparents (who raised me) use to tell me..."it is all about what is on the inside...that is what is important." Those words echo in my heart and mind as I struggle at times with my outward appearance. They strongly emphasized the importance of me keeping my heart right and in doing so the outside would be beautiful in Christ's eyes!
Blessings, andrea
The one He created us to be is so amazingly beautiful...we just have to submit and allow Him to reveal it!
Very well put, Kelly!! I love the fact that 99% look at the Christian to see... wow... I am working on this one as week speak!!
Ah, yes. Since so many believe that image IS everything, I am more motivated to make my outward image count.
I want my outward image to reflect my inward reality, and I want my inward reality to be more and more like that of Jesus!
Wow, Kelly--great reminder! I have been in Ephesians 1 as I am preparing for my next girls' conference. It really is all about the heart, but the world would sure like to tell us otherwise!
Kelly,
Thanks for your strong encouragement on my blog earlier.
Powerful message you shared here. When I was one of the Servant-Leaders of the Followp Ministry (discipling other Christians) at my old home church that was something we focused on was the fact that for MANY you are the closes thing to Jesus they will truly see as many don't read the Bible so how we behave - talk the talk and walk the walk is so vital and that true character was what we do when no one else can see but GOD sees.
Love and hugs.
About 15 years ago, I was a Sunday School teacher.
My image was great. What a nice lady I was.... At church I'm sure everyone saw the image of a devout Christian.
The rest of the week, I wasn't quite the image they "imagined".
I wasn't perfect, and that's ok because no one is. However, sometimes I wonder what my non-church friends thought when I told them I was a Sunday School teacher. (not saying they were non-Christians, just they either went to different churches or maybe they didn't and were waiting for an image of a nice Christian to push them just a bit). So image can be important... the image inside.
hopefully, the image I send out today is one that I will be proud off in another 15 years.
BTW...great post!
It's an exercise, choosing to stand for what God asks us to stand for, spelled out quite nicely in His Word- as opposed to going with the flow, following the crowd, etc.
Good post.
Heidi
We are made in His Image and I'm so glad He is continually working in me to make me more like Him.
Amen! We are the only Bible some people will ever read! Great Post Kelly!
Oh! This is an excellent post, Kelly. I've witnessed this in the worst way. People using christianity as a cover for who they really are. Speaking the words but not displaying the fruit thereof. Between you and Sue I have received some good inspiration today! I once wrote a piece called, "Would True Reality Please Stand Up." It had a slightly different slant, but it's interesting in light of what you've said here.
Have a great day!
What a great reminder of our outward appearance to others--including our own family. We must strive each day to be more like Him. Thanks for this post, sweet friend!
Hugs,
Susan
Living in an unequally yoked marriage I need to constantly remind myself that I am the only bible my husband may ever read.
Thanks for helping out by reminding me again!
Wise words, Kelly. And just what I needed this morning...
You're so right, Kelly. It's so important to show the world Jesus through our lives. There's a song I like that says we as Christians might be the only Jesus that a nonbeliever sees.
This is EXACTLY what we're talking about in my class right now!! Neil Postman, author of Amusing Ourselves to Death, and Marshall McLuhan discussed this in detail...even politicians who aren't attractive don't get as many votes as those who ARE attractive do. What is WRONG with our society?
Wonderful thoughts Kelly! That statistic is rather convicting. Praise God that He molds us into the person He's called us to be:)
I had just been pondering on something this morning that is right on this subject. When we can forget who we are and focus on who He is, we will be changed into who we are called to be.
You always make me think. Thank you!
Excellent thoughts!
I used to be a make up artist and can appreciate the visual.
People, Christians included, tend to so focus on the outward appearance they don't even see the beauty on the inside. What a person looks like on the outside has nothing to do with the quality of the person.
Unfortunately the world would have us so focus on the weight, hair, implants, teeth color, skin tone that we completely overlook what God created.
His beauty far surpasses anything a plastic surgeon or make up artist could achieve
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