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Chapter 13—Rejoicing in the Lord
The children of God are called upon to represent Christ and to
show the goodness and mercy of the Lord. As Jesus has shown us
the true character of the Father, so we are to show Christ to a world
that does not know His kind love. Jesus prayed to His Father, “I sent
them into the world, just as you sent me into the world.” “I in them
and you in me, ... in order that the world may know that you sent
me.”
John 17:18, 23
.
The apostle Paul wrote to the disciples of Jesus, “You yourselves
are the letter we have, ... for everyone to know and read.”
2 Corinthi-
ans 3:2
. All Christ’s children are like letters to the world. If we are
Christ’s followers, He sends us as a letter to our family. He sends us
to the village and to the street where we live.
Jesus, living in us, wants to speak to the hearts of those who do
not know Him. Perhaps they do not read the Bible or hear the voice
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that speaks to them in its pages. They do not see the love of God
through His works. But if we truly represent Jesus, people may be
led through us to see Him. They may understand something of His
goodness and be won to love and serve Him.
Christians are light bearers along the way to heaven. They are to
give to the world the light that shines upon them from Christ. Their
lives and characters will show others what Christ is like and what it
means to serve Him.
When we represent Christ, we show to others that it is a pleasure
to work for Him. Christians know that this is really true. Christians
who complain and are unhappy give others a wrong idea of God and
the Christian life. They make people think that God is not pleased
to have His children happy. This is too bad, for they are telling
something about their heavenly Father that is not true.
Satan is pleased when he can lead the children of God into doubt
and unhappiness. He delights to see us mistrust God. He wants us
to doubt God’s willingness and power to save us. He loves to have
us feel that God will lead us into harm.
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