The You God Sees 7.

“… we who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:12)

Is your hope in Christ?

If it is you are a person of destiny. You have been appointed to a specific, magnificent position. God has commissioned you to “live for the praise of His glory.”

Think about this. We, ordinary, everyday folks inspiring praise for the glorious God dramatically revealed in Christ. Wouldn’t you think He’s inspired considerable praise on His own?

It gets more amazing. The original Greek word for “glory” actually means “reputation.” God has, long ago, determined to stake His reputation on His human creatures. And beginning with the first Christ-followers He appointed all believers to this mission.

This is an advertising campaign of dubious potential. We’ve already gotten our Creator very bad press. The third Chapter of Genesis is a laundry list of things gone wrong. All because we dishonored God and made Him look the fool for having made us.

But He’s sticking to the plan. As a matter-of-fact our “fall” is part of the plan. Earlier – vs. 6 – Paul says that our “destiny” is “to be for the praise of His ‘glorious Grace.’” God’s Grace is His love in action and we are the “billboard” on which it is to be dramatically displayed.

Jesus said something that clarifies how we can actually “make God look good.” “Let your light shine before men,” He said, “so that you give light to the whole world; they see the good things you do; and praise your Father in Heaven.” The “things you do,” are your light. When people see it, He says, they “praise your Father in Heaven.” This means that the “goodness” people see in you is readily recognized as God’s and not yours. We’re a lot like the moon. In its fullest phase it appears glorious. But we all know that it has no light of its own. It is reflecting another light. We Children of Adam and Eve, by our own choice, “live in darkness.” But “all of us, who are Christ's reflect, like mirrors, the glory of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3: 18)

To complete this mission, and realize our destiny, as the promoters of God's reputation, we must be sure that our attention is fixed on the “SON”! His reflection is the "you God sees" ... the "you" with whom He's pleased.