Created to Reflect Christ

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—and I was the greatest of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as an example to show everyone how patient he is with even the worst sinners, so that others will realize that they, too, can have everlasting life. (1 Timothy 1:15–16 TLB)

The walls of the old shed behind the farmhouse seemed to bow outward, the nails straining to hold in treasures and trash alike. The old woman turned the key in the lock and opened the door slowly so as not to startle any hiding creatures. Dust escaped with a sigh, floating into the waiting sunlight. She stepped carefully around boxes and discarded furniture. An old headboard leaned against the wall. Through its slats, a glint of light on glass acted like a beacon, drawing her to the very thing she came to retrieve.

After shifting the headboard forward, she carefully lifted an old mirror from its dusty cocoon. The frame was sturdy and sure, hugging the reflective glass like a protective father. She tucked the precious treasure under her arm and made her way back through the maze of memories.

On top of a blanket on the kitchen table, the old lady put the mirror down, glass side up. She remembered her reflection in that very mirror in years past—blond pigtails bouncing with energy, the blush of first-date skin, the white of pearls along the neckline of her wedding gown. As she looked into the clouded glass now, her shape was dull and unclear.

Over the next hour, she washed the dust and grime from the glass. It took patience and persistence. She wiped, rinsed, and repeated. Slowly, vivid light replaced years of neglect. She used cotton swabs to clean around the edges, making sure no blemish remained to take away from the beauty of the mirror.

Once the cleaning was complete, she lifted the mirror to the wall in the entryway. She hung it from a prepared nail, taking special care to level it. She stood back to admire her work. The mirror her father made decades earlier did what it was created to do—reflected her beauty once again.

Now visitors to the farmhouse pause to admire the antique mirror. They see the reflection of the old woman over their shoulders, beaming with pride. Pride for her father’s creation and for the work she did to restore it.

We Were Created to Reflect Christ

In our key verse—1 Timothy 1:16 (TLB)—Paul explains a purpose of Christ’s mercy: “to show how patient he is with even the worst sinners.” Paul had an impressive list of sins from his past, and he had persecuted Christians even to the point of death. After his conversion, however, Paul became a driving force for the spread of Christianity.

Anyone could compare the old Paul to the new Paul and see the change. He never shied away from telling anyone who would listen what changed him—the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul allowed his life to reflect Christ clearly. When people looked at Paul, they saw Jesus. If Jesus could make this change in Paul, they thought, he could do it for anyone.

As believers in Christ, we all have the same purpose—to reflect God’s glory. In Isaiah 43:6–7 (CSB), the Lord said,

“Bring my sons from far away,

and my daughters from the ends of the earth—

everyone who bears my name

and is created for my glory.

I have formed them; indeed, I have made them.”

Since the fall in the garden of Eden, sin clouds his reflection. Our mistakes and missteps blur his image. His love appears warped, and his truth becomes clouded.

Like the old lady in our parable did with the mirror, Jesus pulls us from the clutter when we call out to him. He patiently and persistently washes away the layers of shame and guilt on our souls until his image is perfectly reflected. As they did with Paul, others see the effect of God’s grace on our lives. “If God can do that for you,” they say, “he can do the same for me.”

When people see us, do they see Jesus’s reflection? Jesus saved us for more than our eternal security. Our lives can reflect the beauty and wonder of God’s amazing grace for others to see. You can reflect the truth that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners!” (1 Timothy1:16 TLB).

Father, thank you for creating us for the specific purpose of reflecting your glory. What an awesome privilege we have! Wash away the layers of sin so you are perfectly reflected in us. Use our lives to show others what your amazing grace can do. Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life—no longer at sin’s every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ’s sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection. (Romans 6:6–8 MSG)

Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:22–25 CSB)

Reach for More

Do you feel you’re like the dusty mirror, covered in years of shame and neglect? Jesus can patiently restore you. Acknowledge your condition—a sinner in need of God’s grace. Confess your need for a Savior. Turn toward Jesus, believing his death on the cross pays the penalty for your sin. Ask him to wash away the past and give you a new life in Christ.

For believers, today is a great day to assess your own “mirror.” Do you reflect Jesus clearly? If not, begin to spend time in his Word each day. Ask him to show you areas to change so his glory is clear to everyone around you.

Kelly Smith is a small town girl who married a small town man. They have three children. In the quiet minutes of her day, you will find her at the keyboard or curled up with a book–always with coffee. Kelly believes we are created for community and loves to find ways to connect with other women who are walking in the shadow of the cross. She blogs at mrsdisciple.com.

Photograph © Jacalyn Beales, used with permission