What Are You Reflecting?

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

I heard this verse in a new light for the first time today. I heard a child read it to me, saying it was one of their new favourite verses. They read it out loud, and for some reason it seemed to emphasise so much more the love that God has for us. It reminds me of Romans 5:6-8, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

How incredible is that ultimate show of love. Before we sinned, God died for you. But He didn’t do it because He knew it would guarantee that you would be in heaven with Him. He did it so that you have the opportunity to be in heaven with Him if you want to be. He took on sin, and gave up His life, so that you have the OPTION…

It really brings to light John 10:10 (NIV), where Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” The whole purpose of Jesus coming to this earth, of Jesus living life as a human, of him dying a perfect man. Was so that you have the opportunity to live a full and meaningful life! So that you have the opportunity to go to heaven and live in a happy, perfect world, with no death and sadness.

But the part that really stood out more than anything else when I heard this child read the verse, was the part that says “whoever believes”. It sounds so simple! Yet it is so powerful. All we need to do is believe… That is it! So I asked the student who read the verse to me, “what does it mean to believe in God.” Without realising it I had asked this question with the intention of being able to share a little bit more with this student about how amazing God’s love it. And I can’t remember the words specifically, but I remember being stunned, at how well this child understood something that I can so easily overcomplicate. I was stunned by the simplicity, the faith, the accuracy of the statement made. The response was simply about how it means we believe in God, and when we do believe in Him it will shape the way we live.

Let me just say that again.

When we believe in God, it will shape the way we live…

Of course, this got me thinking… (yes, I know that is very dangerous!) Does my belief in God shape the way I live? If so, how?

Does it shape my friendships? What about my work ethic? What about the way I talk about people that I don’t necessarily get along with? Does it shape the way I prioritise my life? Does it shape the things I say to those I love? Does it shape what I value? Does it shape how I treat people? Does it shape the way I treat people that I disagree with?

As I said, thinking is dangerous, but by thinking about things like this, together with God, we can shape our lives to reflect God in everything we do.

So, my challenge this week, is to spend some time reflecting, thinking, and planning, so that our lives can reflect more of God.

Miss Born

6:58 

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