February 5, 2024 -- II Corinthians 5:17 -- Official Portrait

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
II Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Don’t know about you, but my cell phone, computer and some social media sites scrolling along various sites I visit have non-stop newsfeeds. Headlines on various topics are designed to catch your attention. This morning one of the top ones on my phone was a headline to the effect that some Australians are eagerly awaiting a new official portrait of King Charles III, one year after his ascension to the throne. It got me thinking about this text from the Bible. You might wonder about the link, but I ask you, just follow me on this, it will make sense.

When a new British Monarch ascends the throne, he gets an official portrait made and it is sent to official offices, like post offices, court houses, police stations, schools, universities, government offices through out the realm. When King Charles III has his official portrait made, it will go to such offices through out the United Kingdom, to his distant realms and territories, as well as to Commonwealth countries such as Canada and Australia. The point is, citizens of these lands will know who the king is, what he looks like, and portraiture will also give the careful observers a sense of what the king is like. One of the last official portraits of Queen Elizabeth II showed her wearing the regal sapphire tiara with the matching sapphire necklace which has equally large stones surrounded with diamonds. Shows her wealth. There was the order of the insignia of Canada pinned to her shoulder (displaying her right to rule Canada) and the order of military merit (reminding the historically informed of her dedicated service in World War II). She was in an ivory gown. Pointing to her purity in dedicated service and her dignity for office.

Dear family in our Lord Jesus Christ—God has His portrait clearly displayed in heaven. Jesus Christ, the Victor, the One Who has overcome sin, death, hell and the grave. His throne is the Eternal Throne and before Him saints and angels cry out in shouts of dedication, love, and awe-filled devotion. Our Father in heaven has proudly sent out official portraits of His Son, these portraits are living. The portraits are Christians who are His new creation. Believers bear the mark of Jesus Christ, which is the Holy Spirit living within. By the Spirit’s presence and power Christians have renewed in them the image of God—true holiness, true righteousness (Ephesians 4:24) and true knowledge (Colossians 3:10). Christians live to please God their Father, even as a loving son on earth loves to please the father who is his hero. The fruit of such active obedience becomes obvious as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control ripen within and are expressed in every aspect of the believer's life. We are posted in His official buildings—churches. However, as we leave worship we are living portraits, going out into all the world, showing people the beauty of the One, True King.

Beautiful Savior, You are the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by You all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through You and for You, Jesus. And You are before all things, and in You all things hold together. You are the Head of the Body, that is, the Church. In the strength of the Holy Spirit we bless You Jesus and bring to You our praise and worship that through You, the Father will be honoured and blessed and glorified. Spirit of the Living God, clean us, from the inside out, that we may ever more fully reflect the image of Jesus unto the glory of God and this so that many people will be drawn into the Kingdom of the One, True, High King of Eternal Splendor. Amen.

https://youtu.be/px-eU1QjQiU?si=ScYzD2D_Ad3bJUjN Psalm 51

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