THE POWER OF YOUR IMAGE

We all have to answer for the use of our gifts and the image of the kingdom we choose to project. So take care with the image you bring to the scene; it’s important.

People don’t need more secular clones; they need life, they need truth, they need Jesus. A different image if ever there was one.

As artists, we bring to our audience not only a physical image, which projects an attitude, but also a spiritual power, which reflects a Kingdom.

Let’s draw our guidelines, not from the world, but from the Word of God:

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people”(Ephesians 5:1-3).

“Abstain from all appearance of evil” (I Thessalonians 5:22).

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22).

“Whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous or praiseworthy, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

“Love is patient, kind, does not envy or boast, is not rude, self-seeking or easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs nor delights in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

These are the attributes of the Holy Spirit. They are the personality of God himself. Now, put a face on all that, and you’ve got it—the image of a Christian, who was, after all, created to be in the image of God.

This doesn’t mean we’re to waft around with our eyes rolled back in our heads, decked out in rope sandals and white robes. Self-righteousness is the last thing we want to project. There’s no greater turn-off than that.

It does mean we look like real, normal people— people of character, strong in spirit, joyful in the Lord, enjoying our lives and music, without tendrils of pride, worldliness and evil hanging about us—people who, despite our problems and flaws, are people other people would want to be like because they see Jesus in us.

But some may protest, “How can I reach the unsaved for Christ if I appear clean, wholesome and godly?” The question is, how can you reach them for Christ if you don’t? Throughout history Christians have been most effective in winning souls when they were so radically different that the world wanted to kill them!