S.Robinson

By Shirley Scurlock

Today, the Lord says; “Oh that my people recognized me!” Oh, that my children had a clear picture/image of Me! People have pictures of loved ones hanging on their walls! They recognize them as family, friends or colleagues. They recognize their face, and those depictions are reminders of the character of that person. Many ministers attempt to teach Gods word without recognizing Him. We have representative style pictures, and portrayals of Jesus, without knowing his real image -so the pictures have no substance. There’s an image, but no understanding of His character. Certainly, there are no photos of Jesus but we can see His Character through His words.

2Co 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. Open face means unveiled! We are without the spiritual veil that blinds many to who Jesus is. It’s like looking in a mirror, or at a picture of Jesus, and as we do, we are changed into His Image. We begin to recognize His character and His heart! Yes! It’s true! When we look into the perfect law of liberty (Word of God) it changes us – remolds us – recreates us into His Image. By looking at Him, we become like Him!

Parents tell us to be very careful who we hang out with. Why? Because the more time you spend with someone the more you act like them. Married couples begin to resemble each other after years of marriage. They immediately know what their spouse likes, hates or finds funny! How do they know? They have been together, fellowshipped with each other and over time, learned each other’s Character!

Who is He and what is He like? 2 Co 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. So, the image of God can visibly be seen in the life and character of Jesus. Can Jesus be visible in the lives of believers?

Jesus is the express Image of God. Those things that were written about Jesus paints a picture of God. Jesus came healing, loving, setting men free, raising the dead and destroying the works of the devil! He was a living example of real love. He reached out to the lowest of mankind. He ate and fellowshipped with sinners. His intentions were to teach them the truth about God, and lead them to him.

What Does God Look Like? Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Fruit is the evidence of the kind of plant producing it. If it’s an apple tree, it must produce apples! The Spirit of God will produce these things, love, joy, peace, etc. The Spirit of God will not produce hate and bitterness. It will not produce thefts, murders, or witchcraft! These are the evidences of His presence in our lives. If your life produces no love, then the Spirit working in you is not God. God is not the author of confusion, fear or despair. God does not Condon unforgiveness, or revenge! When we follow hate, bitterness and anger, we do not have a clear picture of who God is. We all follow someone, mimic someone or have a mentor at some point. Who is your mentor, who do you mimic? Remember Rom 13:14 “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. “When you look at each piece of the Armor, you notice it is also a fruit of the Spirit, or an attribute of Jesus! Put on Jesus because He is the Armor/ protection you need in the fight. The Bible paints a picture of God. Jesus is His reflection, and His character is a living representation of God. Our God is a healer, a deliverer, a helper, and a lover of our souls. Our God through the person of Jesus heals the blind, raises the dead, makes the lame man walk, makes the dumb man talk, and yes, turns over tables in the market. He is the God who stretches out His hand and says, “come to me all of you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest!” Our God, through the Holy Ghost teaches us, trains us, corrects us, and fills us with himself, so we are equipped to fight in this Armor! Remember our words paint a picture for those who do not know Him. We paint Him loving, and forgiving and sinners are drawn to Him. To paint Him as an angry God without mercy – leaves them with a distorted picture of the God! The God they need to see is the John 3:16 version who “So loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes Him, should Not perish but have everlasting life!” He is the God who closed Lions mouths, stood in the fire with three Hebrew children, and parted the seas for Moses. He is the God who shook prison cells, gave sight to the blind, and walked on the water! When we share God with others, we must share Him as he is portrayed through Jesus. 1 John says “God is Love!” There is no other way to describe a God who will save the vilest of people, wash them clean, and recreate them!

But for today! Rev_22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will let him take the water of life freely. Let’s paint a picture for those who do not know the Lord. We are His best advertisement for the Kingdom of God If in fact, we know the Lord! If we do know Him we have to say “He is the embodiment of Love!” Why? John 3:16 “For God so loved the world!” Greater love has no man, than he who would lay down his life for his friends. And that’s what Jesus did for you!

Because the word of God teaches Jesus is God in the Flesh, let our words paint a true picture of God. He is kind, and he is merciful as Matthew said in 11:28 -30 “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

The Hateful God, the religious are teaching is not supported by the Word of God. God loves us, and wants everyone, everywhere to repent and become His children. He wants to adopt you into the family of God, and give you rest for your soul.