"LET THE BEAUTY OF JESUS BE SEEN"

"For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps."  

1 Peter 2:21

To cultivate inner beauty, we must walk as Jesus walked, in His footsteps so that others may see His beauty radiating in our lives (Galatians 2:20).  Without Christ's influence in our lives and our walk, it is impossible to radiate His beauty.  Likewise, we must imitate His purity and passion (1 Cor. 11:1). By allowing His divine Spirit to dwell in us through His Word, it will help us to direct our steps so as to please Him, allowing His beauty to be seen in us (Eph. 5:18-19, Col. 3:16). 

The beauty of Jesus will help place our hope securely in Him, even when our loads are heavy and hard to bear (Ps. 42:5, Ps. 55:22, Matt. 16:24); even if others refuse to help us carry them.  When others are unkind to us and speak piercing words, it is then that we must remember how He was beguiled, betrayed, struck on the head, mocked, and reviled and allow His beauty to be seen in us.  Jesus was indeed denied His righteous claim by men who deceived others with their lies, yet He opened not His mouth to lash out in anger (Isa. 53:7-8, Matt. 27:30-44).

The beauty of Jesus must be seen in us every day and every step of our walk with Him.  His beauty will help us bear our cross daily ( Lk. 9:23).  It will help us to submit to Him and His rule.  

Therefore, let us strive to let the beauty of Jesus be seen in us by our good example both in word and deed (1 Tim. 4:12).  We have a beautiful hymn that presents this dramatic Truth.  I love this song!

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,

All His wonderful passion and purity.

May His Spirit divine all my being refine

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.

When your burden is heavy and hard to bear

When your neighbors refuse all your load to share

When you're feeling so blue, Don't know just what to do

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you.

When somebody has been so unkind to you,

Some word spoken that pierces you through and through.

Think how He was beguiled, spat upon and reviled,

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you

From the dawn of the morning till close of day,

In example in deeds and in all you say,

Lay your gifts at His feet, ever strive to keep sweet

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you.

Luci