Christ Shaped Lives
What picture comes to mind when someone mentions a Christian?
For many people today, the answer isn't always encouraging. The disconnect between what Christians profess and how they sometimes live has become one of the greatest obstacles to faith. Author Brennan Manning once wrote that "the greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle." Wendy Jones opened this week's message with this sobering reminder, inviting us to look inward rather than outward.
The challenge is not simply to call ourselves followers of Christ, but to become people whose everyday lives point others toward Him.
Created to Reflect God
Long before sin entered the world, humanity was created in God's image.
Looking back to Genesis, Wendy explained that God's design was for people to become His living representatives on earth—not merely bearing His name, but reflecting His character. Just as ancient kings placed statues throughout their kingdoms to represent their authority and presence, God placed living people throughout His creation to display His love, justice, compassion, and goodness.
Every interaction, every relationship, and every decision offers an opportunity to reveal something about who God is.
Taking Off the Old Self
Sin distorted that beautiful image.
Paul reminds believers in Colossians 3 to remove the old way of living—anger, slander, lies, bitterness, and malice. Wendy compared these attitudes to filthy, worn-out clothes that no longer belong to those who represent the King of Kings.
Just as ambassadors carefully represent their nation wherever they go, Christians are called to represent Christ with integrity. Holding on to gossip, resentment, or dishonesty doesn't simply hurt others—it misrepresents Jesus Himself.
Putting On Christ
Thankfully, the Christian life doesn't stop with removing the old.
Paul tells us to put on a completely new wardrobe:
Compassion
Kindness
Humility
Gentleness
Patience
Forgiveness
Above all, love
These qualities are not meant to be worn occasionally. They become the daily clothing of those whose lives are continually being renewed into the image of Christ.
Wendy emphasized that spiritual growth is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. Every day presents another opportunity to become a little more like Jesus through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.
Unity That Reflects the Gospel
One of the most powerful aspects of Paul's teaching is his vision for unity.
The church in Colossae was made up of people divided by ethnicity, culture, social class, religion, and history. Yet Paul insisted that these differences were no longer barriers because Christ was greater than them all.
The gospel does not erase our differences—it teaches us to love through them.
That kind of unity is only possible when believers choose compassion over pride, patience over frustration, and forgiveness over division. This Christ-shaped life is lived not in isolation, but within the family of God as we encourage, challenge, and care for one another.
Three Questions Worth Asking
Near the end of the message, Wendy challenged everyone with three deeply personal questions:
Would anyone want to be like you?
What do people experience when they experience you?
Does your life point to Jesus?
These questions move beyond Sunday mornings into everyday life.
How do we respond during conflict?
How do we treat the cashier at the grocery store?
What do our words on social media reveal?
How do we speak about people when they are not in the room?
Every ordinary moment becomes an opportunity either to reflect Christ—or to hide Him.
