Refine the Reflection

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:4-5 NASBThere was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. John 1:6-9 NLTWe are made to be a reflection of Jesus to our world.The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-24 ESVOur world needs to see Christians who are like Christ. We need God to Refine His Reflection in our lives. This is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them,and do not hide from relatives who need your help. Isaiah 58:6-7 NLTReligion without relationship will always result in a distorted reflection of Jesus to our world. Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Isaiah 58:8 ESVWe are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine. - D. L. MoodyThe LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NLTTo live the simple Gospel is to allow God to refine His reflection through the crucible of life. The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the LORD tests hearts. Proverbs 17:3 ESVI will bring that group through the fire and make them pure. I will refine them like silverand purify them like gold. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘These are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’” Zechariah 13:9 NLTSo I advise you to buy gold from me gold that has been purified by fire. Revelation 3:18 NLT