Why they are like Jesus Christ
by J.R. Miller from The Face of the Master
God has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians
chapter 4 verse 6. But we all with unveiled face
beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are being transformed
into his likeness with ever-increasing glory. 2 Corinthians chapter
3 verse 18. The face of Christ has transforming
power. Those who look upon it in love
and intently are changed by it into its own beauty. This teaching
is brought out very clearly in the New Testament. John tells
us that when we shall see Jesus as He is, we shall become like
Him. The Apostle Paul describes it
in wonderful way, the transforming power of the face of Christ as
we look upon it. But we, all beholding as in a
mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into his
likeness with ever-increasing glory. The glory of the Lord
is the glory which shines in the face of Jesus Christ. We
cannot see that glory with our eyes, for Christ is in heaven. But it is reflected for us on
the pages of the gospel. As we ponder him in these pages
intently, we look upon his glory. The effect of this continual
beholding is the transformation of our lives into Christ's image. That is, as we consider Christ,
as we read the story of his life, think of him, meditate on the
beauty of his character, look into his face with love and adoration,
the brightness of that face prints itself. upon our faces, and we
are transformed into His image. This transformation is not wrought
suddenly, instantaneously, but gradually, with ever-increasing
glory. Life is a school. The qualities
of Christian character are studies set for us. No one learns a musical
instrument in one lesson. No one can become an accomplished
artist in a day. Just so, no one can get the full
beauty of Christ into his life in one brief year. We have it
here in Paul's words, but we all, beholding as in a mirror
the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His likeness
with ever-increasing glory, that is, line by line, little by little. Fellowship with Christ is the
essential thing in cultivating godly character. Not only is
he our teacher, it is not enough that he shall set the lessons
for us, but he brings down the divine life and imparts it to
us. John lays upon the master's bosom
and in this close friendship he grew into the master's likeness. It is thus that we all must live,
if we would get the beauty of Christ upon our lives. We never
shall grow like Him if we stay habitually far away from Him. If a Christian lives distant
from Christ, he soon grows earthly and loses the spiritual loveliness
out of his life. But if he abides near his Master,
in adoring love, in close companionship, then the glory of Christ enters
his life and transforms him. Looking at Christ intently with
devout, reverent heart, beholding him not merely in a brief glance
now and then, but continuously, the brightness of that blessed
face prints itself upon his life. those who look intently at the
face of Christ entering into the spirit of his life walking
in daily fellowship with him bearing his cross, loving him,
and doing his will take his image upon their own lives grow like
him until neighbors and friends begin to see the resemblance
and say, why? They are like Jesus Christ.