We’re good at judging character.
Rich or poor, kind or cruel, we can glance at people and get a good impression of what they’re about. It’s true what people say. A good first impression is vital to someone’s opinion of us. It’s how they judge our character.
If we give out the wrong signals, we can hardly correct what someone thinks of us, no matter how erroneous it is.
What impression has God left on us?
Acts 8:9 tells us the story of a man that wanted recognition:
“But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great.”
Here’s the thing about Simon: When we have the power to do mighty things, we don’t have to tell people how wonderful we are. It’s obvious.
God speaks, and the world trembles. He doesn’t need to say, “Look at me. I’m great.” It’s clear in the lightning, the stars in the heavens, and the earthquakes that shake our land.
John 14:1 gives us the words of Christ:
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”
Jesus only had to whisper his words. There was no need to yell, set up a sound system, or paint his words on a mountainside. It was clear in his actions that he had the power to calm the seas and to soothe men’s troubled hearts.
God has the power to crush the devil, but his hand is a tender touch when it comes to the children he adores.
John 3:2 reveals the truth seen by those who lived in the time of our Lord:
“This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.’ ”
Jesus was imbued with the power of his heavenly Father. He walked in the flesh, but he was filled with the Spirit. There was no power he did not have at the request of his Father in heaven.
When we walk with Christ, his power becomes ours. People will see us, and they will know the Christ who lives in us.
Luke 10:17 offers an example of how we should respond to God:
“The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!’ ”
Do we see the hand of Jesus in the situations we face every day? He’s there. Every situation is subject to his power and his touch. We should leap with joy that every evil thing quakes at his holy name.
If we proclaim our Christianity, and we live bound by the darkness of the world, what impression of God does that give those around us? People see God through us. It’s important that we let the Father’s power and might come through, and that we reflect his tender touch to everyone we meet.
The world knows Christ through us. We reflect God unto everyone we see.
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Code: FGO.H.09.17b.vp.esv