Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

February 11– Morning

 by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“They had been with Jesus.” 

—Acts 4:13

A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ. Perhaps you have read beautifully written books about the life of Christ, but the best life of Christ is his living biography, written out in the words and actions of his people. If we were true to our profession, we should be pictures of Christ— yes, such striking likenesses of him that the world would not have to hold us up to the light for hours, squint its eyes, and say, “Well, I suppose there is something of a likeness.” Instead, they would immediately exclaim, “O, he has obviously been with Jesus; he has been taught by him; he is just like him in his everyday life and actions.

A Christian should be like Christ in every way.  He should be like him in his boldness. Never blush about your Faith.  Like Jesus, be very valiant for your God. Imitate him also in your loving spirit; think kindly, speak kindly, and do kindly. Imitate Jesus in his holiness. Was he zealous for his Master? Then, you should be, too! Always go around doing good. Don’t let time be wasted; it is much too precious. Was he self-denying, never looking out for himself? Then, be the same way. Was he devout? Then you ought to be fervent in your prayers. Did he defer to his Father’s will? Then, submit yourselves to him. Was he patient? Then, learn to endure. And best of all, as the highest portraiture of Jesus, try to forgive your enemies even as he forgave those who crucified him. To do good in exchange for evil is godlike. Be godlike, then; in all ways and by all means live in such a way that all may say of you, “he has been with Jesus.” [M&E]