A life in the Christian faith is very similar to a life outside the faith.  We face trials and testing, temptations and tortures as non-believers do, but we are not helpless and hopeless.  We have a saviour who helps and will help us overcome the greatest trial of all, death. Paul assures us in Romans 8:37; "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

We have spiritual authority to overcome trials but in many cases we have not appropriated it.  The Father has increasing glory waiting for those who walk more fully in His plan.

Previously we spoke about RIGHTEOUSNESS as one way to get more authority over situations, sin and the evil one.  The more we take on Christ's righteousness and enact personal righteousness, the more we will win battles.

Another way of increasing spiritual authority is via a deepening RELATIONSHIP with Jesus.  Paul says our glory is reflected - not our own.

"And we ... reflect the Lord's glory are being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord ..." (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Concerning our relationship with God, we can learn so much from this teaching about reflected Glory.
 

GOD WANTS A RELATIONSHIP WITH US
BECAUSE HE LIKES US
HE IS A PEOPLE'S PERSON
IT'S CALLED LOVE
 

THE RELATIONSHIP IS REFLECTIVE
IT DEPENDS ON HIM SO MUCH MORE THAN ON ME
(what makes the moon special?)

 1)  Recognise the Beauty of the Light.  It is in worship that we recognise who Jesus is and that he has become available to us.  The disciples see Jesus at the ascension, worship Him and he gives them authority to do the Gospel. (Matthew 28:17)

 2)  The reflector must be clean.  Jesus says to the disciples, "You are already clean because of the word ... Remain in me and I will remain in you." (John 15:3,4)

 3)  Reflecting is not a work.  A right relationship with Jesus naturally produces good fruit - "If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit." (John 15:5)  The blessing of the promised land is that the Israelites would not have to draw water, as it would fall from the sky (Deuteronomy 11:11).  This had spiritual implications.  It would be easier to worship there and produce fruit.

 4)  The reflector has to stay in position in relation to the source.  A mirror telescope or reflective radar antenna is as good as its direction finding instructions.  If it is pointed in the right direction it works well.  "If you obey my commands you will remain in my love." (John 15:10)

 5)  Reflected light become brighter the closer one gets to the source of light.

 6)  The more the reflector reflects, the more it becomes like the source.  Builders of string instruments speak of the sound board of an instrument taking on the properties of the sound it reflects.
 

WHAT ARE WE REFLECTING?

We are told in John 15:10, "If you obey my commands you will remain in my love."

But what is this command?  What must we do?  Verse 12 tells us: "My command is this: Love one another as I have loved you."

We make love our guide!

We build our relationship with God in worship and love.

We build our relationship with one another by spending time together and giving our lives for each other.

"Greater love has no one than this that he lays down his life for his friends." v.13

When we love God and those around us with a passionate sacrificial love, God's power and authority will be revealed. "Love covers a multitude of sin", and nothing can stand against love.