Beyond The Physical Appearance
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have
boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is,
so are we in this world (1 John 4:17).
When we say, “…as he (Jesus) is, so are we in
this world,” the picture that comes to the
mind of some is the build, height, complexion, hair or
the physical characteristics of the man Jesus, while He
was on earth. It’s much more than that. Our semblance
is with the resurrected Christ, the glorified Jesus.
Yes, before His resurrection, He worked wonders
and performed mighty miracles. He commanded the
deaf ears to be opened, the blind eyes to receive sight,
maimed limbs to be made whole and raised the dead
back to life. But notice that John the apostle didn’t say,
“as he was, so are we in this world”; that would have
been wonderful. But, the Spirit carefully used the word
“is” showing us that we’re just as He is, in His present
state; in His glorified state. Hallelujah!
The impressive thing about His appearance isn’t
His beards, complexion, or height; it’s the glory and
the life emanating from Him, so much so that at
such instance, you don’t even remember the fleshly
description. You’re absorbed into His glory. Read it
again: it says, “as he is,” in other words, as He is the
resurrected, ascended, triumphant and glorified Christ,
so are we in this world. Such blessedness!
That’s why it’ll be amiss to try to figure Jesus out in
a Jewish body, or to even be flesh and body conscious.
Be spirit conscious. Don’t appraise yourself by your
physical appearance; you’re glorified just as Jesus. He’s
not recognised in the flesh (Luke 24:15-16, 31, 35).
So don’t describe yourself by your earthly nativity or
human affiliations.
See yourself in Him and as the glory of God: “And
the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; …”
(John 17:22). Romans 8:30 says, “Moreover whom he
did predestinate…them he also glorified.” 1 John 3:2
says, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it
doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know
that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for
we shall see him as he is.” We may not look like Him
outwardly, but that doesn’t matter. We’re right now
the sons of God like Jesus; inwardly, in our spirits, we
already look like Him. Blessed be God!
Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you for showing me the truth of who I
am in Christ. As Jesus is, so am I in the world. I’m glorified, and
conscious that the life of God is in me, and evidently manifested
in and through me. Thank you for making me the effulgence of
your glory, and the revelation of your righteousness, in the Name
of the Lord Jesus Amen
Further Study
John 3:13; 1 John 3:2; Hebrews 2:11
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Revelation 8
Obadiah
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
John 21:1-12
2 Chronicles 30