A Visual Aid!

There is a sense in which Jesus was a "visual aid" to help us see God. That is why Jesus told Philip, Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." ( John 14:9) Paul also noted that in Jesus "the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily." ( Colossians 2:9) The Hebrew writer noted this fact as well when he wrote that the Son is the exact imprint or representation of God's being. ( Hebrews 1:3) God is well aware of how challenged we are in accepting what we cannot see. Jesus' earthly walk was in a real sense the Truth of God with skin on it. Though we still live by faith, the glimpses we have been given provide substance on which to base that faith.

Could it be that God also desires to use us as a visual aid to the world? There was a sense in which Paul acknowledged his life in that light. Consider two passages.

In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul exhorted them to. . .
"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." ( 1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV)

And note Paul's remarkable statement in his first letter to Timothy where he wrote. . .
"(15) The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. (16) But I received mercy for this reason, THAT IN ME, as the foremost, JESUS CHRIST MIGHT DISPLAY HIS PERFECT PATIENCE AS AN EXAMPLE TO THOSE WHO WERE TO BELIEVE in him for eternal life." ( 1 Tim. 1:15-16 ESV)

Paul seemed to have seen his life as an example of the reality that if He -- the foremost (or worst) of sinners -- could be converted and saved by the grace of God, so could others. Paul was a DYNAMIC EXAMPLE of the proof God's grace is powerful enough to change any sinner who is responsive to the Gospel of Jesus. To those who would say, "I have been too sinful", Paul's life emphatically declared the reality God's grace is sufficient. To say we are unworthy is to make an honest assessment. That is why grace is grace! The Good News of Jesus is that He "is able to save to the uttermost [completely] those who draw near to God." ( Hebrews 7:25 ESV)

David also acknowledged his situation as a DYNAMIC EXAMPLE of confession and God's willingness to forgive ( Psalm 32:5) to encourage others to respond to God in like manner. ( Psalm 32:6) Are we a "visual aid" to the world of the difference Christ has made in our life? Is the hope God offers made evident by the manner in which we live? If so, then we too can be a DYNAMIC EXAMPLE with the potential of drawing others to God that they too may receive such a blessing.

Have a great day HELPING PUT SOME SKIN ON THE TRUTH OF GOD!
Carl

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