極大的奧秘 - 基督與教會

Meaning

1. Visible manifestation of the invisible God

2. Complete expression of God's being

3. Concrete embodiment of God Himself

1. Expression of Christ's inner thoughts and feelings

2. Way to experience Christ as treasure

3. Reveals Christ's presence and characteristics

Distinctions

1. Emphasizes external manifestation

2. Stresses Christ's equality with God

3. Focuses on divine nature's display

1. Emphasizes internal communion

2. Stresses intimate relationship with believers

3. Focuses on personal experience

Explanation

Christ as God's image perfectly and accurately manifests the invisible God, enabling people to know God

Christ's face refers to His expression and countenance, reflecting His mind and thoughts, allowing believers to experience Him intimately

Examples

Like a photograph perfectly presenting the original, Christ fully manifests God the Father

Like face-to-face conversation with a close friend, seeing their expressions and emotions

Applications

1. Know God through knowing Christ

2. Express God's image in daily life

3. Testify God to others

1. Daily behold Christ's face

2. Live before Christ

3. Enjoy Christ's presence

Interrelationship

Both complement each other:

1. "Image" helps us know God's essence

2. "Face" helps us experience God's presence

3. "Image" is objective truth, "Face" is subjective experience

Related Scriptures

About Christ as God's Image:

 John 1:18 "No one has ever seen God...He has made Him known."

 John 14:9 "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father..."

 Heb 1:3 "He is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation..."

About Christ's Face:

 2 Cor 4:6-7 "...to give the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ..."

2 Cor 3:18 "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord..."