(Thomas Watson, “Body of Divinity“) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio
“Leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps.” 1 Peter 2:21
“The one who says he remains in Him should walk just as He walked.” 1 John 2:6
“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” John 13:15
True true religion is to imitate Christ.
There are four things in which we should labor to be like Christ:
1. Be like Christ in DISPOSITION.
He was of a most sweet disposition;
a heart to pity us.
and wings to cover us.
He would not break our heart, but with mercy. Let us be like Him in sweetness of disposition. Do not be of a morose spirit. It was said of Nabal, “He’s so ill-tempered that no one can even talk to him!” Some are so sour, and breathe forth nothing but revenge!
Let us be like Christ in mildness and sweetness,
pray for our enemies, and conquer them by love.
David’s kindness melted Saul’s heart.
A frozen heart will be thawed, with the fire of love.
2 Be like Christ in HUMILITY.
“He humbled himself.” He left the bright robes of His glory, to be clothed with the rags of our humanity–a wonder of humility! Let us be like Christ in this grace. Humility is the glory of a Christian. We are never so lovely in God’s eyes and in this let us be like Christ, if we look within us, about us, below us, and above us!
If we look within us, here we see our sins represented to us in the looking-glass of conscience–lust, envy, passion.”How many are my iniquities!” Job 13:23. Our sins are as the sands of the sea for number; as the rocks of the sea for weight!
If we look about us, there is that which may humble us.
We may see other Christians outshining us in graces. Others are laden with fruit, while perhaps we have but here and there, a berry!
If we look below us, there is that which may humble us.
We may see the mother earth, out of which we came. The earth is the most ignoble element. “They were viler than the earth.” Job 30:8
“Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground.” Genesis 2:7. “You will return to the ground from which you came. For you were made from dust, and to the dust you will return.” Genesis 3:19.
If we look above us; there is that which may humble us.
Or If we look up to Heaven, there we may see God resisting the proud. God pursues the proud in vengeance. He threw proud Lucifer out of Heaven! The proud man is the mark which God shoots at, and He never misses the mark! Oh then, be like Christ in humility!
3. Be like Christ, in the contempt of the WORLD.
Christ was not ambitious for titles or honor. He declined worldly dignity and greatness, as much as others seek it. When they would have made Him a king, He refused it. He chose rather to ride upon the foal of an donkey, than be drawn in a chariot. And He chose rather to hang upon a wooden cross, than to wear a golden crown! He scorned the pomp and glory of the world. Because He ignored secular affairs. He came into the world to be a Redeemer. And He minded nothing but Heaven.
Let us be made like Him, in heavenliness and contempt of the world. And Let us not be ambitious for the empty honors and glories of the world.
Let us not purchase the world, with the loss our soul.
What wise man would damn himself, to grow rich;
or throw his soul down to hell, to build up an earthly estate?
Be like Christ in a holy contempt of the world.
4. Be like Christ in HOLINESS of life.
No temptation could fasten upon Him. “As the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct.” 1 Peter 1:15
A Christian should be both a magnet and a diamond!
A magnet, in drawing others to Christ.
A diamond, in casting a sparkling luster of holiness in his life.
Oh let us be . .
.
so just in our dealings,
true in our promises,
devout in our worship,
unblamable in our lives;
that we may be the walking pictures of Christ!
~ ~ ~ ~
For more go to: https://abbeyjahath.com/devotionals