How difficult would it be to navigate an internet site or even your desktop without icons? Icons direct novices like me to the places we need to go on the computer screen. Yet, how useless would icons be if they failed to direct you to where you needed to go? Supposed you clicked the MS Word icon, but it took you to MS PowerPoint. Would you agree that this icon would be useless?
Now let's look at the use of icons spiritually.
"Eikon" is the Greek word for our English word “icon.” Icon means the direct image or character of someone or something. And to think, millions of people are clicking on icons right now without realizing its roots have a biblical connection. The Apostle Paul used this word “icon” to describe who Christ was in relations to the Father. Paul said to the Christians at Colosse that Christ was the direct image or (Eikon) of God the Father (Colossians 1:15).
Now let's look at the use of icons spiritually.
"Eikon" is the Greek word for our English word “icon.” Icon means the direct image or character of someone or something. And to think, millions of people are clicking on icons right now without realizing its roots have a biblical connection. The Apostle Paul used this word “icon” to describe who Christ was in relations to the Father. Paul said to the Christians at Colosse that Christ was the direct image or (Eikon) of God the Father (Colossians 1:15).
For this reason, Satan hated Christ because He was the (Eikon) or icon of the Father. In simple or pragmatic terms, the lost can touch Christ, and instantly they are directed to the Father.
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| Victor & Yvonne - 1990 - Japan |
Icons work in families as well. How? Christ-centered families can become icons for other families. Take for instance this photo of me and my wife taken in Okinawa, Japan in 1990. Satan feared that this picture would produce a much greater image 20 years later.
To be more specific, satan feared that our union would become the direct image of what Christ wanted a family to look like. Thus, as a way of trying to prevent us from becoming an icon for others, our marriage was challenged, attacked, and assaulted by Satan.
Consequently, the enemy fights all marriages the same way. Why? Satan hates marriage icons. He doesn't want other marriages following your marriage. Again, icons help the lost navigate through life much easier. And for this reason, Christ wants your family to become an icon for other families to follow. True. Marriage is not easy but remember God hates divorce. Think about this way? Christ didn't divorce you when you messed up, got old, gained weight, or lost hair. In fact, Christ continues to present you faultless before the Father daily (Ephesians 5:23-32). For that reason, Christ can heal your marriage because in Him all things are possible (Luke 1:37).
If today, you are discouraged in your marriage, and you are thinking about giving up, don't. Go back and look at your wedding pictures. Get an image of what God brought together. Subsequently, if today, you have left your spouse, go back to those positive images when you both first met. How? Find something worth holding on to. Rummage through old photos. You will be surprised at what you see, and what you find. Then start presenting each other faultless before the Father. In this way, you can restore a much healthier image of your marriage again.
In our case, the above photo came (literally just the other day), and at a time we both needed to see how far Christ, our icon, has carried our marriage. Interestingly enough, many friends, back then, in Okinawa said that we were destined to win. Amazingly, it was one these friends who had this old photo of us on Facebook. And to think... this icon was out there all those years, but hidden from us. Yet, this is proof that life comes full circle. Hence, we have to be careful not to give up in life and not to give up in marriage. Again, you just might be building an icon.
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| Our family at 2nd Church Anniversary. |
Yet, as I think about the above photo, I can't help but rejoice at the new icon on the right. Oh, how God is a keeper. He is faithful to guard that which we commit to Him. Now, 20 years later, here is what that 1990 icon produced, a family... and a church. Has it been easy? No. But nothing iconic is easy. And despite the many challenges... I cherish every scratch, bruise, and tear we endured.
Now, looking back at that 1990 photo, we are certainly different people today than back then. It's obvious that we have gained some weight, lost some hair (at least for me), but here we are with our children at Rehoboth's 2nd Anniversary in 2009. This is what Satan feared.
Now, browse upwards again to the 1990 photo. What image do you see now? What could God be saying to you? Today, remain a marriage icon. Don't do it for the children. But do it because Christ did it for you. How? He committed to remain married to you through the sin and it all (Romans 5:8).
What image does Christ have of your marriage? What did He see that you don't see? What good images have you forgotten about? Now think? Who else has an old image of you and your spouse? You will be surprised what others have captured about you on film and/or in their hearts.
Now consider again... What has your marriage yet to accomplish in Christ? Hence, don’t let Satan destroy the image of your marriage. Search for those healthy icons... don't be afraid, or ashamed, they will direct your marriage back to where it should be, so that others can "click" to see that God loves marriages.
Your marriage can survive any storm with Christ as your icon. We have! Become iconic.
What image does Christ have of your marriage? What did He see that you don't see? What good images have you forgotten about? Now think? Who else has an old image of you and your spouse? You will be surprised what others have captured about you on film and/or in their hearts.
Now consider again... What has your marriage yet to accomplish in Christ? Hence, don’t let Satan destroy the image of your marriage. Search for those healthy icons... don't be afraid, or ashamed, they will direct your marriage back to where it should be, so that others can "click" to see that God loves marriages.
Your marriage can survive any storm with Christ as your icon. We have! Become iconic.
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| Pastor Victor & Yvonne 2011. |
written by Pastor Victor Hudson
