By Beholding Christ We Become Like Him Giving Everyone a Blessing This “Season.”

   “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24)

When we look into a mirror, Jesus looks back and sees the “vessel” He has made to share His love, humility and kindness to others. If we leak a bit of love and kindness it reveals the Water of Life He give us to share. Acknowledging others as a blessing to us, is a gift we can give to everyone this “Season.”  Jesus like Jonah plans to give the warning to “Nineveh”, to the World, to be prepared for His Coming, to Destroy the World, or see true repentance? There is something good to find in everyone!  Jesus put that goodness in everyone!

“In our work we meet with many discouragements. But we shall not gain a particle of strength by dwelling on the the discouragements. By holding [Jesus] we become changed.  As we look in faith to Jesus, His image is engraved on the heart.   We are transformed in character.”

“There are many who, in dwelling too largely upon theory, have lost sight of the living power of the Saviour’s example. They have lost sight of Him, [Jesus] as the humble, self-denying worker.   What they need is to behold [not our own face in the mirror] Jesus. Daily we need the fresh revealing of His presence.”

“As we discern the perfection of our Saviour’s character, we shall desire to become wholly transformed, and renewed in the image of His purity.  The more we know of God, the higher will be our ideal of character, and the more earnest our longing to reflect His likeness. A divine element combines with the human when the soul reaches out after God.”

“As one becomes acquainted with the history of the Redeemer he discovers in himself serious defects. . . .He catches the looks, the spirit, of his beloved Masters. . . . It is not by looking away from Him that we imitate the life of Jesus, but by talking of Him, by dwelling upon His perfections, by seeking to refine the taste and elevate the character, by trying , through faith and love, and by earnest, preserving effort, to approach the perfect Pattern.   By having a knowledge of Christ, – His words, His habits, and His lessons of instructions, – we borrow the virtues of the character we have so closely studied, and become imbued with the spirit we have so much admired.   Jesus becomes to us “the” chiefest among ten thousand.” the One “altogether lovely.”