Introduction: When Your Reflection Talks Back

Ever had one of those moments where you catch your reflection and think, “Oh wow, I really need some sleep”? Or worse, “Is that how I really look when I’m talking to people?” If you’re like me, you’ve probably made a face at yourself in the mirror more times than you care to admit.

Now, imagine if your reflection could talk back. What would it say? “Nice job being patient in traffic today!” or “Hey, maybe don’t roll your eyes at the cashier next time.” Because here’s the thing—we’re not the only ones seeing our reflection. Other people see it too, and if we’re Christians, they might just be seeing Jesus in us. The real question is, are we showing them the Jesus of the Bible, or are we showing them something else?

Section 1: The Accidental Jesus Impersonators

Whether we realize it or not, the moment we let people know we follow Christ, we become representatives of Him. We’re basically walking billboards for Christianity. Ever notice how if a Christian messes up, people don’t just say, “That guy’s a jerk,” they say, “See? That’s why I don’t like Christians.” No pressure, right?

Take this for example—I was at a drive-thru, and the person in front of me was taking forever. I was getting frustrated. Then, to make it worse, when they finally finished, they paid for my order. Talk about a punch to the pride. Here I was, ready to be annoyed, and they were showing kindness. If they had seen me scowling in their rearview mirror, what kind of Jesus would I have been reflecting? A cranky, impatient one. And last I checked, that’s not who He is.

Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Notice it doesn’t say let your irritation shine before others or let your sarcasm shine before others. Nope. It says our good works should reflect back to God’s glory.

So if we’re representing Christ, we need to be mindful of what kind of Jesus people see in us. A loving, patient, merciful one? Or a stressed-out, coffee-deprived, road-raging one?

Section 2: The Bible’s Take on Being His Representative

Scripture makes it crystal clear that as Christians, we are walking representations of Christ and His Church. Let’s break it down with a few key verses:

1. 2 Corinthians 5:20 – “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.”
2. An ambassador doesn’t get to say, “That’s just my personal opinion.” Everything they do reflects the kingdom they represent. That’s us! If we claim to be Christians, we’re showing people Jesus, whether we intend to or not.
3. Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
4. That’s everything—not just church stuff, but the way we talk to our spouse, our patience at the grocery store, our attitude at work.
5. 1 Peter 2:12 – “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that… they may see your good deeds and glorify God.”
6. This is big. People don’t just hear about Jesus from us—they watch how we live. Our actions preach louder than our words ever could.

Jesus Himself had a reputation for kindness and compassion, even to those who didn’t deserve it. Remember the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11)? The crowd wanted to condemn her, but Jesus showed grace. If we claim to follow Him, that’s the Jesus we need to show the world.

Section 3: How to Reflect Jesus Daily

So how do we make sure we’re reflecting Jesus accurately in our daily lives? Here are some practical steps:

• Pause Before Reacting
• Before snapping at someone, ask yourself: If Jesus was physically standing here, how would I respond? James 1:19 says, “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”
• Check Your Words
• Are your words building people up or tearing them down? Proverbs 15:4 says, “A gentle tongue is a tree of life.” That applies to our conversations, social media posts, and even our tone when talking to others.
• Extend Grace Freely
• That person who’s rude to you at work? The slow driver in front of you? The person who interrupts you mid-sentence? They all need grace. Jesus gave it freely; we should too (Luke 6:36).
• Surround Yourself with Accountability
• Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” We all need people who call us out when we’re not reflecting Christ well.
• Live with Intentionality
• Reflecting Jesus isn’t accidental. It takes daily commitment. Start each day by asking, “Lord, how can I reflect You today?” The more intentional we are, the more consistent our reflection of Christ will be.

Conclusion: The Face of Jesus in the Checkout Line

So back to that mirror—when people look at you, do they see Jesus? Or do they see someone they wouldn’t want to follow? The world is itching for a reason to dismiss Christianity. Let’s not give them one. Instead, let’s be living proof that following Jesus actually makes a difference in our patience, kindness, and love for others.

Closing Prayer

Lord, help us to reflect You in all we do. When people see us, let them see Your love, patience, and kindness. When we fall short, remind us of Your grace and help us to extend that same grace to others. May our lives point people to You, not push them away. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Call to Action

Take a moment today and do a spiritual mirror check. Is there an area where your reflection needs to look more like Jesus? Let us know in the comments below! And if you’re not subscribed yet, hit that button so you never miss a post that helps you live out your faith in the real world.