Now more than ever, others need to see Jesus in us. Not the Jesus the media portrays. Not the Jesus that others have created in their minds. But the Jesus of the Bible. The Jesus of the cross. The Jesus who lives in our hearts and loves without reason.Β
Iβve been a believer in Jesus for more than 50 years. But I havenβt necessarily let others see the real Him in my life that whole time.
When I received Christ into my heart at 4 years old, all I knew then was to believe and receive. During my high school and college years I learned it was about standing for my convictions. Today, I realize that calling myself a follower of Christ means He must be on the throne of my life and He is the One others must see, not me.Β
Paul said in Galatians 2:20: βI have beenΒ crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who livesΒ in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,Β who loved me andΒ gave himself for me.βΒ
Here are five simple ways toΒ live by faith in the Son of God so that others see Jesus in you:Β
- Love the unlovely.
Itβs easy to love someone who loves you in return. Itβs also easy to love the beautiful, kind, and lovely people. But itβs a whole different story to love someone who doesnβt deserve your love or look the part or treat you well. Yet thatβs what Jesus did and He instructed His followers to do the same.
Jesus said βMy command is this: Love each other as I have loved youβ (John 15:12). How did Jesus love? Scripture answers that in Romans 5:8: βWhile we were still sinners, Christ died for usβ (Romans 5:8).
Those without Christ only know conditional love, selfish love, erotic love. But when you show an unworldly love β a love that is sacrificial and without limits, preferences, or condition β others canβt help but see Jesus in you.
2. Freely forgive.Β
If I said to you: βIβll forgive you when you have finally deserved my forgivenessβ or βI need more time. Iβll forgive you when Iβm readyβ would you see the love and person of Christ in me?
I know forgiveness is difficult, especially when youβve been hurt in a way that you never thought possible. I know it is not within us to be able to forgive freely and without condition. But thatβs why your forgiveness of another is such a powerful testimony of Christβs presence in your life. You know how badly offense hurts. And you know how freely Christ forgave you in spite of your own offenses. Colossians 3:13 instructs us βas the Lord hasΒ forgiven you, so you also mustΒ forgive.β Go ahead. Let go of that burden of bitterness and resentment and freely forgive. When you do, others will see Christ in you. (For more help in this tough area, see my book,Β When a Woman Overcomes Lifeβs Hurts.)Β
3. Display joy.Β
Jesus said βI came that they may have life and have it abundantly,β (John 10:10). That is joy, my friends. He also saidwhen we obey Him and remain in His love, His joy will be in us and our joy will be complete (John 15:10-11). How can we know the God of this Universe β and experience His freedom and forgiveness β and not be filled with joy?
Yes, life is difficult. But joy is not about our circumstances which can change from day to day. Joy is about ourΒ conditionβ of being forgiven and free in Christ β which will never change. Be a person who is joyful, not continually down in the dumps, and others will see Christ in you.Β
4. Show grace, not a critical spirit.Β
It dawned on me years ago that it was easier for me to be critical of someone upon meeting them, than to show them grace. I was tuned into how they dressed, talked, and displayed themselves, rather than their heart for which Christ died. But that attitude was not exemplary of Christ in me. That was the flesh in me. The selfishness in me. The insecurity in me that felt I needed to compare myself with others in hopes that I would come out ahead. People werenβt seeing Christ in me that way. They were seeing a critical woman trying to compensate for her own hurts.
When you and I start showing compassion toward others, empathizing with othersβ situations or hurts, and showing grace and mercy rather than a critical spirit, we can be representatives of Christβs grace and mercy. In Micah 6:8 we read that what God requires of His own is βtoΒ do justice, and to love kindness,and toΒ walk humbly with your God.β Are you being just, kind, andΒ humble in your attitude toward others? If so, they will see Christ in you.
5. Be willing to be at the bottom.Β Β
Itβs human nature to want to be a celebrity. Even aΒ Christian celebrity. But Jesus never sought the spotlight even though He fully deserved it. Instead, He insisted His Father receive the accolades and glory. Jesus showed us that the way up was down. The last would be first. And the humble would be exalted.Β
James 4:10 instructs: βHumble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.β
The world doesnβt value humility. It avoids it all costs. Yet Christ humbled himself when he gave up what was rightfully His to come to this earth and live a life at our level. There is nothing more beautiful that someone who is at βthe topβ and shining brightly for Christ because they were willing to be at the bottom. One who lets God exalt him, rather than exalting himself, is one through whom others see Christ.
Iβll give you five more ways you and I can be more like Christ in my next blog. For now, which one(s) will you be focusing on? Iβd love to hear it in the comment section below so we can be praying for each other.Β π
Thank you, Cindi! This blessed me.
You’re welcome, Carol. π
Thanks for this piece of write up. So inspiring and would redirect our focus from the usual to allowing Christ to be seen more in us particularly in this end times. More grace for more impact.
You’re welcome, Eunice. Thanks for taking the time to comment. π
Showing grace and mercy …..rather than a critical spirit! Hi Cindy, thank you for always blessing me and for being honest, because we all struggle with something.I have learn and have applied Godβs word through your postβs. Thank you!
Thank you, Miriam, for your encouraging words. Yes, let’s be encouragers who build up others not tear them down with a critical spirit, even when it’s unspoken. Lord, give us hearts like Yours.
Thanks for the word. I want to freely forgive π π especially my former husband. I am tired of speaking about all the wrongs he had done me. I don’t want any more bitterness and anger in me. I just want to lose myself and find myself lost in God. π
Thank you for your precious comment. To lose yourself and find yourself lost in God. That should be the aim of every one of us. I will pray for your heart to forgive as you focus on the One who loves you more than any other. In Jeremiah 31:3 God says “I have loved you with an everlasting love and I have drawn you with lovingkindness.” Be strong in Him as He softens your heart, sister.
Thanks for the wonderful encouragement
You’re welcome, Sally. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. π
Thank you for this article. I pray to be less critical and judgmental. I want to be the woman He wants me to be. Only with the Lord and Holy Spirit can I show His love to others.
I pray to be more open to the nudges from the Holy Spirit.
Blessings Cindi.
Thanks, Carol, for your honesty. I echo your heart’s desire and every point of your prayer. π
Hello Cindi,
Your article was a blessing to me. I honestly want to focus on being more gracious and forgiving. There are sooo many people out there that say they genuinely loving God’s people, however they are not gracious or forgiving towards anyone. I do not want to in that number. Thank you so much for this.