- Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
- Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
When one sees Christ it is like seeing God the Father.
Let's ask ourselves a question. When someone sees me, do they see God? Do they see Christ in me? Do I look like my Father? Children look like their parents, not like a stranger, because if they look like strangers, then they are not their true children. So what would you say?
Hi Giannis. As concerning Jesus, the apostle states it well in Colossians 1:15, "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature". Jesus, as Man, was the exact representation of the invisible God. Certainly his outward features would not have identified Him with His Father, for who has seen God Who is Spirit? Even in his boyhood or youth, Jesus would probably have been like any other child born into a Jewish family of that region, even as the Jews could only acknowledge His lineage ( John 6:42). Only after His Words were spoken, His Power witnessed, and His Holy Life observed, then some were able to perceive that this was no ordinary Man but One Who was truly sent by God, with Divine qualities & wisdom.
Could anyone today say, just by walking past you or me, looking at us, that these men belong to Christ & exude His Graces? Personally, I couldn't see that being the case if I was called upon to differentiate a believer from a non-believer. I would need to know more, to observe more, and hear more to believe that this person before me has Christ or His Father in him. Though having said that, I could relate another account, of my time in Pakistan. One young (21ish) Pakistani brother in Christ on my team of young evangelists, had an uncanny perception of others as he passed by them. On more than one occasion, I asked him to prove how he could tell whether a person was a believer or not. And in all of them, he was correct. And he confirmed this by then walking up to them, engaging in conversation and checking their spiritual state. This brother could just by looking at the face (for in every other way, the person appeared like any other) and could correctly say whether he was a believer. I don't have that ability, but maybe that account supports your thoughts of whether 'we look like our Father and Savior' to others, those whom we do not know. Is there something of our appearance or demeanor that reflects a life hidden in Christ?
Jesus was and is "the express image of the invisible God " The first Adam was created in the image of God but all his offspring were born in the image of Adam .( shapen in iniquity).
When my first born son was born to my delight and surprise I saw my image in him . On reflection afterwards every family has a ' likeness' . But he bore my image because I was his father and he came from me . If I had not been his father he wouid not have born my image but the image of his true father andI would have rejected him as my son .
When a man stands before Almighty God and then finds himself in hell it will not be so much because he has sinned ( for all have sinned) but because he having rejected Jesus Christ does not bare the image if God in him but the image if his true father .
For having said all their life " No God" has to all intents and purposes said 'I am not a child of God'.
I think I have been misuderstood. Maybe due to the way I wrote my comment. What I meant was do people see Christ in us when they see our behavior, our daily life, our love for people? Does our life shows that we belong to Christ? And to which degrre? This is what I meant.
About the other you wrote, I have had some experiences in the past. In one, there was a brother, an elder of the church, whom I knew for some time. A very good brother indeed. Once we had an appointment to go somewhere. While walking towards him as I was coming closer to him I felt as if I was entering a sanctified environment. As if there was an area with him at the centre where one was feeling sanctifiation. The more I was getting closer to him the strongest that feeling was becoming and the opposite. I never told him.
In a second, there was as sister in Christ who on a specific day she was fastying and praying for something she wanted from God. In the evening when I met her, I saw her face radiating light. It was not as the normal light we see but it was light. And her face was different than usual. She was having an expression... I can not really describe it, maybe hilarity is the right word. And it wasn't only me who was seeing this. Everybody who came across her and had a look at her, standed surprised by what they were seeing. It reminded me of the portraits of the saints in the Eastern Orthodox churches where they depict the saints having a crown of light around their face. It was something similar, just the light was not the physical light but something of a different nature.
Definately the closer we go to God, the closer He comes to us, and so His presense becomes very evident to everyone. But my comment was not about those things which are actually rare.
I believe what is seen on the outside is a representation of what's on the inside!
But what's on the inside is wrapped with flesh so the appearance won't be perfect!
We also must take on the account that those watching may have a carnal mind and can not discern what is Christ inspired!
For instance, Meekness. A virtue of strength under control, characterized by gentleness, patience, and humility.
Being Meek isn't being "weak" and it shouldn't compromise the truth and it shouldn't halt one from speaking the truth in what they see or hear!
Galatians 6:1 reads "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of "Meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Now this is a business between Brothern!
The response will vary depending on what the fault is!
Some will take this restoring well and some not so well.
Pride can make things difficult!
Should we soften this Brother up with a few lies?
Of course not!
We tell, preach, and teach the truth and sometimes that hurts both parties to do so.
That may not bring an immediate good response but God stands behind his truth being delivered with Meekness and Humility.
Now for the prideful heart and carnal eyes Meekness and Humility won't make a bit of difference.
We are to be strong in the Lord and stand and that is not often taken well.
There has been many Christians martyred for telling the truth including all the Apostles and Stephen in Acts 7.
Call someone stiff neck, whitewashed wall" or whitewashed tombs, today as Jesus, Stephen and Paul did and see what happens.
(Of course I'm half kidding) but hopefully you get my point.
Our character is what we are talking about, that's what draws people to you, but it's genuine and it's not fake because it's not you in control of it.
It is true that Christian virtues are often seen as weaknesses by worldly people. But in the long run they are positively influenced by us. Not everyone. There are people for whom you can never "heap coals of fire on their heads." They simply do not care whatever you do, whatever you say. All you can do is just pray for them. Only when a tragedy comes to their life they lower their pride. Then there may be a chance there. But whatever the outcome maybe we must be in the likeness of our God. GBU
It is quite an awful thing that in John 17 the Lord said " I do not pray for the world "
The world is not going to change but rather it is going to get worse .
There are lines with God . That if you cross there is no comeback .
Cain crossed it .King Saul crossed it .Ahab and Jezebel . Others also . King Herod too and when the Lord was brought before him . The Lord said not a word to him ( like Saul) Judas also .
"God will not always strive with man "
Am I advocating not orating for unsaved loved ones?
No.
But let is not be sentimental about their rebellion against God they are as we were once " chiodren of disobedience and " children of wrath ". Or pray for them making excuses for them . They are in a very serious place .
Which " If they do not repent they too shall likewise perish"
Consider we who " once knew not mercy now have received mercy" .
If then we pray that zGod will have mercy upon them ,should we not pray with that understanding of what mercy is? And what is what like when we knew it not? Yet was in such great need of it .
Those who are so indifferent to the increasing warnings of God are but one step and one breath from a lost eternity That one unrepentant thief did not redeem the time given him and when the Lord turned to the repentant thief and gave him a promise . He turned his head away from the unrepentant thief who went into eternity with nothing .
Thanks bro S. Spencer for sharing further on the Christian life that others ought to see. Even as you stated in your first part, the world cannot discern or understand what is "Christ inspired". What the Spirit imparts as humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, love, etc. is often interpreted by the world as one 'lacking strength of character, weak hearted/mindedness, gullible'. But if they should look deeper and longer, they should soon find that we have been blessed from an heavenly source, enjoying the peace, confidence and hope for present and future, that they sorely lack. Oh, that this would cause many to be drawn to the Savior Who alone Who awaits to give them full Salvation and Peace. Every blessing brother and may your witness & life continue to reveal the Love & Peace of God to all with whom you come in contact.
Thanks for the clarification bro. Giannis. I did understand what you were getting at concerning whether people see Christ in us by what comes forth from us. I did however, take your other point seriously, "Children look like their parents, not like a stranger, because if they look like strangers, then they are not their true children." This showed me that you also referred to the outward appearance, therefore the example I shared about how a brother was able to discern a person's stand in Christ, or even whether they identified with Christianity in general terms. So, I tried to deal with both aspects of a manifestation, from within and also from an outward appearance. And you shared similarly of what you experienced yourself, and that of the Christian sister. Maybe at times, particularly after spending deep intimate times with the Lord, there is some efulgence that radiates from us; some able to observe this more readily than others. Thanks again, and every blessing.
- Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
When one sees Christ it is like seeing God the Father.
Let's ask ourselves a question. When someone sees me, do they see God? Do they see Christ in me? Do I look like my Father? Children look like their parents, not like a stranger, because if they look like strangers, then they are not their true children. So what would you say?
Could anyone today say, just by walking past you or me, looking at us, that these men belong to Christ & exude His Graces? Personally, I couldn't see that being the case if I was called upon to differentiate a believer from a non-believer. I would need to know more, to observe more, and hear more to believe that this person before me has Christ or His Father in him. Though having said that, I could relate another account, of my time in Pakistan. One young (21ish) Pakistani brother in Christ on my team of young evangelists, had an uncanny perception of others as he passed by them. On more than one occasion, I asked him to prove how he could tell whether a person was a believer or not. And in all of them, he was correct. And he confirmed this by then walking up to them, engaging in conversation and checking their spiritual state. This brother could just by looking at the face (for in every other way, the person appeared like any other) and could correctly say whether he was a believer. I don't have that ability, but maybe that account supports your thoughts of whether 'we look like our Father and Savior' to others, those whom we do not know. Is there something of our appearance or demeanor that reflects a life hidden in Christ?
When my first born son was born to my delight and surprise I saw my image in him . On reflection afterwards every family has a ' likeness' . But he bore my image because I was his father and he came from me . If I had not been his father he wouid not have born my image but the image of his true father andI would have rejected him as my son .
When a man stands before Almighty God and then finds himself in hell it will not be so much because he has sinned ( for all have sinned) but because he having rejected Jesus Christ does not bare the image if God in him but the image if his true father .
For having said all their life " No God" has to all intents and purposes said 'I am not a child of God'.
I think I have been misuderstood. Maybe due to the way I wrote my comment. What I meant was do people see Christ in us when they see our behavior, our daily life, our love for people? Does our life shows that we belong to Christ? And to which degrre? This is what I meant.
About the other you wrote, I have had some experiences in the past. In one, there was a brother, an elder of the church, whom I knew for some time. A very good brother indeed. Once we had an appointment to go somewhere. While walking towards him as I was coming closer to him I felt as if I was entering a sanctified environment. As if there was an area with him at the centre where one was feeling sanctifiation. The more I was getting closer to him the strongest that feeling was becoming and the opposite. I never told him.
In a second, there was as sister in Christ who on a specific day she was fastying and praying for something she wanted from God. In the evening when I met her, I saw her face radiating light. It was not as the normal light we see but it was light. And her face was different than usual. She was having an expression... I can not really describe it, maybe hilarity is the right word. And it wasn't only me who was seeing this. Everybody who came across her and had a look at her, standed surprised by what they were seeing. It reminded me of the portraits of the saints in the Eastern Orthodox churches where they depict the saints having a crown of light around their face. It was something similar, just the light was not the physical light but something of a different nature.
Definately the closer we go to God, the closer He comes to us, and so His presense becomes very evident to everyone. But my comment was not about those things which are actually rare.
GBU
I believe what is seen on the outside is a representation of what's on the inside!
But what's on the inside is wrapped with flesh so the appearance won't be perfect!
We also must take on the account that those watching may have a carnal mind and can not discern what is Christ inspired!
For instance, Meekness. A virtue of strength under control, characterized by gentleness, patience, and humility.
Being Meek isn't being "weak" and it shouldn't compromise the truth and it shouldn't halt one from speaking the truth in what they see or hear!
Galatians 6:1 reads "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of "Meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Now this is a business between Brothern!
The response will vary depending on what the fault is!
Some will take this restoring well and some not so well.
Pride can make things difficult!
Should we soften this Brother up with a few lies?
Of course not!
We tell, preach, and teach the truth and sometimes that hurts both parties to do so.
That may not bring an immediate good response but God stands behind his truth being delivered with Meekness and Humility.
Now for the prideful heart and carnal eyes Meekness and Humility won't make a bit of difference.
We are to be strong in the Lord and stand and that is not often taken well.
There has been many Christians martyred for telling the truth including all the Apostles and Stephen in Acts 7.
Call someone stiff neck, whitewashed wall" or whitewashed tombs, today as Jesus, Stephen and Paul did and see what happens.
(Of course I'm half kidding) but hopefully you get my point.
Our character is what we are talking about, that's what draws people to you, but it's genuine and it's not fake because it's not you in control of it.
It's Spiritual maturity, It's Christ in you!
See part 2.
Christ in you. Our character.
It should represent Galatians 5:22-23.
(Without acting!)
If Christ is in you he's producing this fruit!
He's drawing people to himself.
If it's an action of a Hypocrite it's a lusty attempt to draw people to you!
However if it is Christ inspired you and people is drawn to you and a door opens for you to sow seeds you hope it falls on good ground!
You may not be there to see it increase and initially you may be spoken of as evil from a non-believer.
Often that is what being "Christ like" looks like.
Persecution!
I have a great relationship throughout the community, My Job, My Church I attend!
Everyone that knows me Know that I am a Christian and they respect me and many seems to want to hear me preach.
I have more issues with the proud or false Christian than I do with the sinners.
I believe I am blessed with a good judgment of character.
Often a person live out there beliefs.
You see it in the prosperity gospel. (A fleshly, lusty person)
You can see it in a prideful Christian or a Hypocrite.
They can not present humility!
They blend in well but If you let them speak on the word of God you will see what's in their belly!
This sounds harsh but it's true!
Stand strong in the Lord.
Blessings.
It is true that Christian virtues are often seen as weaknesses by worldly people. But in the long run they are positively influenced by us. Not everyone. There are people for whom you can never "heap coals of fire on their heads." They simply do not care whatever you do, whatever you say. All you can do is just pray for them. Only when a tragedy comes to their life they lower their pride. Then there may be a chance there. But whatever the outcome maybe we must be in the likeness of our God. GBU
The world is not going to change but rather it is going to get worse .
There are lines with God . That if you cross there is no comeback .
Cain crossed it .King Saul crossed it .Ahab and Jezebel . Others also . King Herod too and when the Lord was brought before him . The Lord said not a word to him ( like Saul) Judas also .
"God will not always strive with man "
Am I advocating not orating for unsaved loved ones?
No.
But let is not be sentimental about their rebellion against God they are as we were once " chiodren of disobedience and " children of wrath ". Or pray for them making excuses for them . They are in a very serious place .
Which " If they do not repent they too shall likewise perish"
Consider we who " once knew not mercy now have received mercy" .
If then we pray that zGod will have mercy upon them ,should we not pray with that understanding of what mercy is? And what is what like when we knew it not? Yet was in such great need of it .
Those who are so indifferent to the increasing warnings of God are but one step and one breath from a lost eternity That one unrepentant thief did not redeem the time given him and when the Lord turned to the repentant thief and gave him a promise . He turned his head away from the unrepentant thief who went into eternity with nothing .
I believe prayer in those situations is key!
I've witnessed that close up being very effective.
Blessings
Integrity and honesty goes well with the presence of a zealous belief in God's word when being displayed
Also, when you are recognized and identified as a Christian you must be blameless in your present walk.
We must have the mindset to serve with humility and without partiality and not seek glory of men as the example given by our Lord in Mark 10:45.
I've seen people join a Church and soon leave because of partiality and a proud look from leadership.
Blessings.
I have always thought that at the heart of things, we are to show Christ in us to others in our face, actions, lifestyle, words, and demeanor.
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