Reflections of beauty

There have been some lovely reflections in the millpond in recent weeks.

I found myself wondering what sort of reflection of the Lord Jesus can be seen in my life.

Be holy, for I am holy, says the Lord. Now, when I was converted, the handwriting of ordinances which was against me was blotted out and my debt was fully paid by the death of the Lord Jesus on the cross. I was justified, once for all. At that time I also, as it were, changed position. No longer ‘in Adam’, I became ‘in Christ’. I was sanctified, made holy, in Him.

Yet I know that I am far from holy, my life is but a feeble reflection of Him. Sin still lives in me, and will do so until the Lord Jesus returns or calls me home. And so there is an ongoing battle to be fought. Christians, as Pastor Willie Philip once remarked, are not saved from the fight with sin, but saved for it.

Sanctification is a gift of God’s grace, but we have a part to play. We have a great responsibility to use that gift. How do we do that?

Firstly, we must set our minds on things above, dwell on God’s word in our minds, let it shape our thinking as we read it privately and hear it read and preached. Godly living begins with deliberate choices in the mind.

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1-3)

Secondly, since sin no longer reigns within us, we must, with the help of the Holy Spirit, day by day, moment by moment, put it to death, club it, murder it. This needs deliberate effort too. “It concerns us now,” writes Matthew Henry, “to find our sins out, that we may repent of them, and forsake them, before they find us out.”

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. You must also put off these: anger, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds… (Colossians 3:5,8,9)

And then we must be what we already are in Christ. As I learn to know Him better through His word, my love for Him will deepen and my trust in Him will grow. Sanctification, in essence, means simply leaning on my Beloved.

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things, put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you also were called in one body; and be thankful. (Colossians 3:12-15)

May we, as the Apostle Peter enjoins us, “Grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever!”

O Jesus Christ, grow Thou in me,

And all things else recede:

My heart be daily nearer Thee,

From sin be daily freed.

Each day let Thy supporting might

My weakness still embrace:

My darkness vanish in Thy light,

Thy life my death efface.

In Thy bright beams which on me fall,

Fade every evil thought;

That I am nothing, Thou art all,

I would be daily taught.

More of Thy glory let me see,

Thou Holy, Wise, and True!

I would Thy living image be,

In joy and sorrow too.

Fill me with gladness from above,

Hold me with strength divine!

Lord, let the glow of Thy great love

Through my whole being shine.

Make this poor self grow less and less,

Be Thou my life and aim;

O make me daily, through Thy grace,

More meet to bear Thy name!

Johann Caspar Lavater

tr. Elizabeth Lee Smith