The Mirror Test – Part 2

If you have committed your life to following Christ then you should be subject to the mirror test. Now, what do I mean when I say Christians should be given the mirror test? I mean this; we should test to see if we die to ourselves so that the life of Jesus can really come out through us!

The Example of the Apostles

Paul made this point clear when he discussed how the apostles were able to go through the hard times they endured.

2 Corinthians 4:8-11

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed —  10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (NKJV)

They willingly followed the Lord wherever He directed, knowing that there would be tough times ahead. The more they trusted in Him the more Christ made His life and grace work through them to accomplish that He wanted. They, as well as every believer, were called to take up their cross and follow Him (Mark 8:34-35). Now the cross was meant to do one thing – kill someone. When Jesus said we were to deny ourselves, He means that by doing so we die to our self, allowing Him to live through us!

Paul said the same thing to Peter, explaining that the Christian life was one of being dead so that Christ’s life would have free reign.

Galatians 2:20-21

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.  (NKJV)

What does all this mean in practical terms?

He’s Only ‘Mostly’ Dead…

I love the movie The Princess Bride. In it, the hero (Westley) is apparently killed by the bad guy (Prince Humperdinck). His friends take the lifeless body to someone who they think might help – Miracle Max! What happens next is a classic scene which helps flesh out our topic perfectly.

Miracle Max has good news – Westley is only mostly dead. And, according to the wisdom of Max, if someone is only mostly dead, it means they are still partly alive. That actually makes sense, right? So, let’s apply that same wisdom to our walk with Christ.

This is Part Two of a multi-part series. Keep watch for the next installment!