Morning By Morning #42

They took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:13

From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ. No doubt you have read books of the life of Christ that have been beautifully and eloquently written, but the best life of Christ is His living biography written in the words and actions of His people. If we were actually what we profess to be, and what we should be, we would be true pictures of Christ. We would bear such a striking likeness to Him that the world would not have to scrutinize us for long periods of time and then say, “Well, it looks something like Him.”

No, immediately upon seeing us they would exclaim, “They have ‘been with Jesus’! They have been taught by Him and are like Him. They are the embodiment of the holy Man of Nazareth, working out His life in their own lives and everyday actions.”

As a Christian you should be courageous and bold like Christ, never blushing or being ashamed of your faith, for your profession of faith in Him will never disgrace you. So take care you never disgrace it. You should imitate Christ by exhibiting a loving spirit and by exercising kind thinking, speaking, and doing so people will say of you that you have “been with Jesus.”

Imitate Christ in His holiness as well. Think of the zeal He had for His Master and then imitate your Master by always doing good, never wasting time, for time is too precious to waste. Did Christ deny Himself? Then do the same. Was He fervent in His devotion to His Father? Then be fervent in your prayers. Was He submissive to His Father’s will? Then submit yourself to Him. Was He patient? Then learn to endure.

But to reflect Christ’s greatest trait of all, endeavor to forgive your enemies just as He did. Let these glorious words of your Master forever ring in your ears: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Forgive as you hope to be forgiven (see Matt. 6:14) and “heap burning coals” (Prov. 25:22) on your enemy’s head by extending kindness to him. Remember—to repay good for evil is godlike. (See Rom. 12:17.) So be godlike.

In every way, live your life so everyone may say of you that you have “been with Jesus.”

From the pen of Jim Reimann:

A common trap is to say, “I just live my testimony.” Yet often those who say this never speak of their faith, thinking it is enough to live a life of relative holiness. But Jesus was not only the Word—He proclaimed it!

My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone. Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.

Psalm 71:15–18

Father, I thank You that ultimately I will “be conformed to the likeness of [Your] Son” (Rom. 8:29), but may I never hesitate “to proclaim…the whole will of God” (Acts 20:27) and “proclaim…salvation day after day” (Ps. 96:2).