The following article is by brother David Deffenbaugh who preaches for the S.W. congregation in OKC. As we begin this New Year we need to seriously consider our lives as Christians. What picture, what presentation are we giving our friends, our neighbors and even our family of the Christian life? These are the things I would like to ask you to consider as you read brother Deffenbaugh’s article below.
Jesus, Inside And Out
We all know “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” Have you looked at any book covers lately? Obviously quite a bit of time and effort are expended on the design and layout of that cover. The cover may not provide an accurate reflection of the book’s contents, but covers do sell a lot of books. If that were not true, book covers would be nothing but a title and author’s name; no color, no pictures, no graphic design. Just because what you can see may not accurately portray what is on the inside, that doesn’t make the outside unimportant. Far from it. There are “outside” and “inside” concerns when it comes to be a Christian too. Missing either one would be tragic.
Paul wrote about our being “clothed” with Christ (Gal. 3:27). That with which I am clothed is noticeable to others. That’s true both spiritually and physically. Being a follower of Christ should be noticeable too. Our following Christ should be as obvious as a lamp on a lampstand or a city set on a hill (Matt. 5:14-16). Never, though, should our motivation for what we do as Christians become being seen and praised by men (Matt. 6:1). Still, we are clothed with Christ. We have Jesus on the outside and people can see what we’re wearing.
Paul also wrote about Christ being “formed in you” (Gal. 4:19). The whole business of following Jesus isn’t just about outward behavior, but inward transformation. Becoming like Christ in our attitudes, thinking, decision-making, and priorities is our goal. To use Paul’s language, “it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). What I have become as a Christian I have become from the inside. Jesus is formed in me!
For the Christian, it is Jesus inside and out!!!
David Deffenbaugh
If someone were to ask some of your friends, your family what they see as the most important thing in your life, how would they respond, what would they say? Job, work, family or, would they say “Christ?” The only answer they can give is in accordance with what they see in your life?
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
Jesus, Inside And Out
We all know “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” Have you looked at any book covers lately? Obviously quite a bit of time and effort are expended on the design and layout of that cover. The cover may not provide an accurate reflection of the book’s contents, but covers do sell a lot of books. If that were not true, book covers would be nothing but a title and author’s name; no color, no pictures, no graphic design. Just because what you can see may not accurately portray what is on the inside, that doesn’t make the outside unimportant. Far from it. There are “outside” and “inside” concerns when it comes to be a Christian too. Missing either one would be tragic.
Paul wrote about our being “clothed” with Christ (Gal. 3:27). That with which I am clothed is noticeable to others. That’s true both spiritually and physically. Being a follower of Christ should be noticeable too. Our following Christ should be as obvious as a lamp on a lampstand or a city set on a hill (Matt. 5:14-16). Never, though, should our motivation for what we do as Christians become being seen and praised by men (Matt. 6:1). Still, we are clothed with Christ. We have Jesus on the outside and people can see what we’re wearing.
Paul also wrote about Christ being “formed in you” (Gal. 4:19). The whole business of following Jesus isn’t just about outward behavior, but inward transformation. Becoming like Christ in our attitudes, thinking, decision-making, and priorities is our goal. To use Paul’s language, “it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). What I have become as a Christian I have become from the inside. Jesus is formed in me!
For the Christian, it is Jesus inside and out!!!
David Deffenbaugh
If someone were to ask some of your friends, your family what they see as the most important thing in your life, how would they respond, what would they say? Job, work, family or, would they say “Christ?” The only answer they can give is in accordance with what they see in your life?
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
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