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Monday, June 15, 2020

2 Kings 2.15 (Who Do You Look Like?)

When the group of prophets from Jericho saw from a distance what happened, they exclaimed, “Elijah’s spirit rests upon Elisha!” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. [2 Kings 2.15]

And what happened that caused the prophets to know Elijah's spirit rested upon Elisha?

Elisha picked up Elijah’s cloak, which had fallen when he was taken up. Then Elisha returned to the bank of the Jordan River. He struck the water with Elijah’s cloak and cried out, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” Then the river divided, and Elisha went across. [2 Kings 2.13-14]

Elisha brought about a miracle exactly like Elijah did. That is how the prophets knew that Elijah's spirit rested upon Elisha. Elisha did the exact same thing Elijah did.

There is another instance in the Bible where one person was known by doing the exact works of another...

Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do. [John 14.10-11]

Jesus was very clear that He could be identified as one with the Father by the work He did. Why? Because God does good and miraculous work (because God is good and does only good Psalm 119.68)!

But Jesus' revelation about Himself did not stop there. He went on to say:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.  [John 14.12]

<stop and think about the verse above>

We can say we are Christians all day long. But, unless we are identifiable "like Christ," then we are nothing but horrible liars! If our works look nothing like Jesus' works, then the only thing we are is "deceived" and certainly not Christian!

Religion has made it okay to look nothing like Christ. Religion has deceived us just like it deceived the Pharisees in Jesus' day. It is no wonder that Jesus' most harsh words were directed at the Pharisees. Religion has forever concocted all sorts of excuses for men to not look like Christ - it has gone so far to make doctrine of it.

It is far past time for true believers in Christ to look like Christ. Yes, even the miracles and yes, even the Cross.

Father, forgive me for not looking like Jesus. Forgive me for lying to others and myself that 'I am a Christian' when I do not resemble Jesus in any way. Lord, save me from the deception of religion and faithlessness. And, particularly save me from the religion of faithlessness!

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