May Christ Be Magnified

…Christ shall be magnified in my body… Phil. 1:20

In my younger years, I would print notes in between the lines of a small print Bible. Now I cannot see a large print Bible without glasses. I am thankful for the magnification which my glasses bring to that which I am reading.
God has made himself known through his creation (Ps. 19:1). However, that knowledge is limited to only some of his magnificent attributes. God’s fullest expression of himself is in the person of his Son, Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:2). But, Jesus Christ is now in heaven at the right hand of God (Rev. 5:6). Reading scripture reveals the true and living God to us, but God has also selected another avenue to reveal his person.
It is a most magnificent honor for God to select the followers of Jesus Christ to be show cases of his glory. Such unworthy creatures were found in the throes of depravity (Rom. 3:10-12), living as enemies of the most high God (Rom. 5:10) and pursuing the order Satan had established (Eph. 2:2). Then, Jesus Christ called us. We were redeemed by his blood and his Spirit placed within us (Eph. 1:13). As the representatives of Jesus Christ, we are to live in such a manner that others will see the Christ life within us. Paul speaks of “magnifying” Jesus Christ in our lives (Phil. 1:20). As glasses magnify letters that we may more easily read a text, so the way we live will help others more clearly see Jesus Christ.
Paul’s emphasis is not upon some supernatural phenomenon, but growing in commitment to live according to scripture under the graces of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Eph. 3:16). Living like unsaved people promotes the Devil’s wares. Living out the scriptures makes Christ visible. This is the legacy of a Christian. This honors the Christ who purchased us with his blood.