February 11
"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. If we were what we profess to be and what we should be, we would be pictures of Christ. We are to imitate Him so closely that the world will have no doubt we have been with Jesus. A Christian should be like Christ in his boldness. 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 should you be always going about doing good. Do not waste time. It is too precious. Was He self-denying, never looking to His own interest? Be the same. Was He devout? Then you should be. Did He defer to His Father's will? So 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, as He did. Let those sublime words of your Master, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23: 34) always ring in your ears. Forgive, as you have been forgiven. Heap coals of fire on the head of your foe by your kindness to him. Good for evil, remember, is godlike.