Morning, February 11
Go To Evening Reading
“And they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
Acts 4:13
A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ. You have
read lives of Christ, beautifully and eloquently written, but the
best life of Christ is his living biography, written out in the words
and actions of his people. If we were what we profess to be, and what
we should be, we should be pictures of Christ; yea, such striking
likenesses of him, that the world would not have to hold us up by
the hour together, and say, “Well, it seems somewhat of a likeness;” but they would, when they once beheld us, exclaim, “He has been with Jesus; he has been taught of him; he is like him;
he has caught the very idea of the holy Man of Nazareth, and he works
it out in his life and every-day actions.” A Christian should be like Christ in his boldness . Never blush to own your religion; your profession will never disgrace
you: take care you never disgrace that . Be like Jesus, very valiant for your God. Imitate him in your loving spirit; think kindly, speak kindly, and do kindly, that men may say
of you, “He has been with Jesus.” Imitate Jesus in his holiness . Was he zealous for his Master? So be you; ever go about doing good.
Let not time be wasted: it is too precious. Was he self-denying, never
looking to his own interest? Be the same. Was he devout? Be you fervent
in your prayers. Had he deference to his Father’s will? So submit yourselves to him. Was he patient? So learn to endure.
And best of all, as the highest portraiture of Jesus, try to forgive
your enemies, as he did; and let those sublime words of your Master,
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do,” always ring in your ears. Forgive, as you hope to be forgiven. Heap
coals of fire on the head of your foe by your kindness to him. Good
for evil, recollect, is godlike. Be godlike, then; and in all ways
and by all means, so live that all may say of you, “He has been with Jesus.”