Magnify Christ in Our Lives

Yesterday, my dad preached at Sonrise. I was very encouraged by the sermon from Philippians 1. In it, he used the illustration of us as kids going over to the Land Between the Lakes where we used a telescope to see Saturn. It is a wonderful illustration for all of us to consider, especially the idea: to Magnify Christ in our Lives.

In Philippians 1:20-21, the Apostle Paul writes, “According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Picture yourself standing under a starry night sky, gazing at a distant planet like we were Saturn. To the naked eye, it is only distinguishable among countless stars by its very bright appearance. Now, imagine peering through a planetarium’s powerful telescope. Suddenly, Saturn’s magnificent rings come into view, vivid and breathtaking. The telescope does not change the planet itself – its size, beauty, or essence remains untouched. Yet, the telescope magnifies Saturn, making its splendor clear and compelling to anyone who looks through the lens.

As Christians, we are called to be like that telescope. Paul’s words in Philippians remind us that Christ will be magnified in our body. We do not alter Christ – His glory, His truth, and His majesty are perfect and complete. Instead, our lives serve to make Him more visible and more tangible to those around us. Through our words, actions, and choices, we bring the beauty of Christ into focus for a world that often sees Him only as a distant light, if at all.

How do we magnify Christ? It begins with boldness, as Paul writes, living without shame in our faith. Whether in moments of joy or trial, by life or by death, our daily walk – our kindness, integrity, and love – reflects Christ’s character. Like a telescope, we do not add to His glory; we simply display it, helping others see Him clearly.

Today and throughout this week, let us commit to living as faithful lenses, magnifying Christ in all we do. May our lives point others to His unchanging beauty, making His love and grace unmistakable to those around us. You never know who around you needs the light of Christ that only you can share.

For further study, consider these four commitments to Christlike love: Four Commitments to Christlike Love