Your Daily Devotional for June 17, 2007

 

June 17,  2007

 

 

Reflecting Christ

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates."

 

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

 

 

Today is Father's Day, and it is a day when we honor the roll of fathers in the family. But it is also an appropriate day for each father to ask himself, "What kind of life am I reflecting to my family?" God has set the father as the head of the home and he is the one who guides the family spiritually. Fathers, are we reflecting Christ to our family?

 

Each of us is a reflection of our own personal experiences and spiritual growth, and each of us casts a reflection onto those around us, whether that be good or bad. Many Christians today live a life that is primarily a reflection of the world around them. But Christ has a specific challenge for us as Christians when it comes to illuminating the world. God says in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Fathers, we are to be reflecting our Saviour to those around us, especially to our families.

 

In our verses today, God challenges fathers to reflect the Lord as they lead their families spiritually. The strength of a family must begin with the father's reflection of their love for God. So fathers, how can we reflect God to our family today?

 

First, we must love the Lord. Our ability to reflect the Lord as an example begins with our love for Him from our hearts. Serving God is what we should do as Christians, but loving God is who we are as Christians. When our family sees our love for God, they will follow and develop a love for Him as well.

 

Second, we must be filled with the Word of God. God challenges each of us as fathers to set the spiritual tone of the family. If we are not in His Word each day, our family will see our example and will follow our lead.

 

Last, we must be Spirit-filled leaders. Fathers, it may seem overwhelming or intimidating to realize that we are responsible for the spiritual direction of our families, yet we do not have to lead them alone! God promises to guide us so we may, in turn, guide our families. We must be in God's Word each day, spending time with Him and seeking His guidance.

 

Although we as fathers should reflect Christ in our families, we all should reflect Christ to the world around us. We have a responsibility as Christians to tell others of God's love for them. Would anyone know you are a Christian by the life you live? Are you reflecting Christ through your life?

 

Fathers, I would challenge you to make a commitment to seek God each day and reflect Him to your family. It is your job to lead your family spiritually, but God desires to help you. We all should commit to reflect Christ in our lives each day. If we as Christians aren't reflecting Christ to the world, who will? Ask God to help you reflect Him today.

 

Daily Bible Reading

Nehemiah 7-9 • Acts 3

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