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You've probably heard it said, "Image is everything."  I have pondered that thought quite a bit lately. I'm not sure that I would agree that image is everything. However, I do believe the image we portray is very important. "Why?" you might ask. Because that's what everybody sees. I'm sure you would agree that if two people, with equal qualifications, apply for the same job and one of them shows up in his lawn mowing clothes and the other one comes in a suit, that the one in the suit is almost guaranteed the job. Obviously, in this case, image made ALL the difference.

A SET-APART GROUP

What about the image a Christian portrays? Does it really make a difference? The Bible tells us we were made in the image of God, (Gen. 1:26-27). Wow! Out of all of creation, God chose to make mankind in His image. I don't know about you, but that does something to me. It challenges me to "clean" myself up. I don't just mean my outward self, but my inward self as well.
We are told in the Word, that when we became born again, we were made new creations:
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (II Cor. 5:17) KJV 

I also like how the Amplified reads:
Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! (II Cor. 5:17) AMP

That means immediately the filthiness of sin was removed and the goodness of God came in and made us brand new. That doesn't mean we necessarily knew how to walk in that newness. It is our responsibility to work on the inward and outward man, by applying the Word of God. And, the more adept we get in applying the Word, the more we take on the image of our Father. Let me give you an example. My mother-in-law sells Mary Kay, and many times she has clients who have make-overs. This usually consists of a before and after photo, with an application of beauty products in between photo shoots. I can testify to the fact that those after photos portray a beautiful image. But, if those ladies don't follow up with an everyday regimen they will soon look like the before photo. The same holds true for the Christian. If we don't work on ourselves daily, by applying the Word, we will never display the image of a changed person. We are a set apart people: 
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 
(I Peter 2:9) 

If people don't recognize something different about us then we haven't allowed the Word to do its part.

WORDS ON A MISSION

When the Word comes in, our conversation changes. Obviously, we know to stop the cursing and lying. But, it's more than that. We need to take on "God Talk."  What do I mean? I mean we put the Word of God in our mouths. We speak the way God would speak. Our words are reflections of our Father. If a non-believer is constantly hearing his Christian friend talk about his poor health, and his lack of finances, what kind of image is he reflecting on God? Would you be persuaded to give your life over to a God who can't give His children the very best? I know I wouldn't. God's Word tells us time and again that He wants the very best for us, (Ps. 34:10, Ps. 84:11, are a few examples.) So if you aren't receiving, don't blame it on God. Check yourself, and then make your confession line up with what the Word says about your situation. Our confession must be a confession of the absolute faithfulness of the Word, of His finished work and of the reality of our relationship as sons and daughters. A better witness to that non-believer is to 'quote' God's Word concerning the situation. It might go something like this: "I know in the natural it looks like I'm not going to make it, but God's Word says that No weapon formed against me shall prosper and I know the Father watches over His Word to perform it. So, as far as I'm concerned it is done!" Then, hold fast to that confession. Your friend may be looking at you like you're a nut, but on the inside he's thinking, "Wow, this God must be something; that you can be strong in the midst of your problems." 

I can't emphasize this enough, Death and life are in the power of the tongue, (Prov. 18:21). I am confident that if you don't waiver on your confession, you will receive what the Word promises and your image will begin to glorify and emulate God. Ps 37:4-5 says:
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. KJV

Consider for a moment; when you commit yourself to the Word, the things you’ve been believing for will come to pass. 

Pull up that spiritual mirror and see what kind of image you are reflecting. Remember, the world is watching!