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Day 24Imitate Jesus
Tuesday, March 13, 2018 “ And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13
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Devotional:
Maybe you’re a brand new believer. Maybe you were born into the church. Maybe you’re not sure if you’re really saved or not. When you look in the mirror, who do you see? Is Jesus radiating out from your clear sparkling eyes? Or is there a tired or angry or perplexed same- old-same-old person staring dully back? A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ.
I love biographies. I can read them all day long. I have read many books about men and women with lives in 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, we would be living, breathing pictures of Christ. Yes, such striking likenesses of Him that the world would, when they saw us, exclaim, "He has been with Jesus; she has been taught by Him; she reminds me of Him; they work it out in their life and everyday actions."
Imitate Christ in his boldness. Never blush to own your Christianity. Your profession will never disgrace you. Take care you never disgrace that. Be like Jesus, valiant for your God. In this increasingly secular and divisive culture we live in, this becomes more and more challenging to do. We want to be careful not to offend, to be “politically correct,” instead of living confidently in the assurance that our only boast is in Jesus Christ.
Imitate Him in your loving spirit. Think kindly, speak kindly, and do kindly, that all may say of you, "He has been with Jesus, " “She radiates Jesus.”
Imitate Jesus in His obedience. Allow God your Father to run the show. Remember, in all things Jesus did, it was in submission to HIs Father’s will- right down to drinking the dregs of the bitter cup and submitting to the Cross, where his blood flowed freely from his sinless, tortured and slaughtered body in payment for our sins.
Imitate Christ in His holiness. Was He zealous for His Master? So should you be, going about doing His work; do not waste time for it is too precious. Was He self-denying, never looking to His own interest? Be the same. Was He devout? Then be fervent in your prayers. Was He patient? So learn to endure. And best of all, as the highest portraiture of Jesus, forgive your enemies, as He did. 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 enemy by showing kindness to him. Good for evil, remember, is Godlike.
I love biographies. I can read them all day long. I have read many books about men and women with lives in 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, we would be living, breathing pictures of Christ. Yes, such striking likenesses of Him that the world would, when they saw us, exclaim, "He has been with Jesus; she has been taught by Him; she reminds me of Him; they work it out in their life and everyday actions."
Imitate Christ in his boldness. Never blush to own your Christianity. Your profession will never disgrace you. Take care you never disgrace that. Be like Jesus, valiant for your God. In this increasingly secular and divisive culture we live in, this becomes more and more challenging to do. We want to be careful not to offend, to be “politically correct,” instead of living confidently in the assurance that our only boast is in Jesus Christ.
Imitate Him in your loving spirit. Think kindly, speak kindly, and do kindly, that all may say of you, "He has been with Jesus, " “She radiates Jesus.”
Imitate Jesus in His obedience. Allow God your Father to run the show. Remember, in all things Jesus did, it was in submission to HIs Father’s will- right down to drinking the dregs of the bitter cup and submitting to the Cross, where his blood flowed freely from his sinless, tortured and slaughtered body in payment for our sins.
Imitate Christ in His holiness. Was He zealous for His Master? So should you be, going about doing His work; do not waste time for it is too precious. Was He self-denying, never looking to His own interest? Be the same. Was He devout? Then be fervent in your prayers. Was He patient? So learn to endure. And best of all, as the highest portraiture of Jesus, forgive your enemies, as He did. 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 enemy by showing kindness to him. Good for evil, remember, is Godlike.
Prayer: |
Lord Jesus, help me to imitate you so that as I live my life, moving forward on the Gospel Road, other might say, “I am walking with someone who has been with Jesus."
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Song/Hymn: |
My Hope is Built on Nothing Less “On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand...”
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