2 Corinthians 3:18

REFLECTING CHRIST

‘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

It is the law of human nature that whatever we habitually, intelligently, and lovingly contemplate gives a colour to our minds, and affects our character for good or evil. Here St. Paul puts it, when Christ is viewed lovingly, the viewer becomes Christlike. Therefore, our duty is plain.

I. If we would be transformed into the image of Christ we must associate with Him, must take Him as our constant companion. Just remember how often He said ‘Follow Me.’ We must not reflect Him in an occasional way, but steadily and continually. In a word, we must live with Jesus. ‘Abide in Me, and I in you,’ is the law of the Christian life, and the great means by which we become what we wish to be—Christlike.

II. Reflect Christ.—That is something we can all do for Christ. You are not all called upon to preach. You may not be able to give much money to extend His cause. But still you can reflect Him. By reflecting Him you will extend the knowledge of Him; and by knowledge of Him, as the Holy Book says, shall many be justified. We all remember the story of Moses, how, when he came down from the mount, his face shone, after having seen the glory of God, and the people saw it. Well, is not that a true parable of what you can make your own life? By reflecting the glory which you have gained from Christ you may convert sinners. You have read in the Acts how those who came against St. Peter and St. Paul ‘took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.’ And they learned their lesson. It is how the world will be converted.

III. Fall upon your knees and sometimes ask yourselves, can you see in yourself, in your character, anything of the features of Christ, any likeness to Him? Do not be afraid, from time to time, just to put that question, and see how you are getting on. If you have been living with Him, you ought to be able to find in your life some likeness to Him. You will be met sadly enough by fallings away, with doubts and fears, with evil thoughts and acts, but still the fruits of the Spirit will be manifested in your daily life and conduct in spite of your sins and falls. Have I the mind of Christ? Is the love of Christ the controlling power?

‘As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.’ If you think in your heart that you are Christ’s, and seek that He shall come in and abide with you, then the victory is being won, and Christ will come and claim you for His own.

—Rev. Canon Benham.

Illustrations

(1) ‘There is a Greek fable that tells us of a very remarkable temple erected to the honour of a certain idol, and it says that those wishing to enter it had first to look at themselves in a glass placed at the entrance, and that this mirror was so constructed that at first the beholder only saw his own natural visage, but that by degrees his countenance was changed into the form of the idol which he worshipped. St. Paul apparently knew of this story, and he gave it a spiritual meaning of absolute truth. He writes to the Corinthians, who knew all these stories very well. They were the learned people of the New Testament whom he wrote to, full of Greek myths, Greek history, and Greek idols till now, but they had cast them away. Well, he says, then, that the Gospel, the grace of God, is that mirror which they who desire to enter the temple of heaven must look into first. They begin well by looking into the Gospel, into the character of Christ, and then, as they continue to look into it, Christ’s image is so impressed upon them that it becomes prominent in their character and conduct. That is the idea which lie puts forward—that we all with unveiled faces reflecting as a mirror the glory of the Lord are transformed into the same image, “from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” ’

(2) ‘A little child was asked, “What is a Christian?” The answer was a good one, “A Christian is to live as Jesus Christ would live if He came and lived in our house.” ’