Christlike Living in a Sinful World

Character Reputation is what a man's neighbors and friends think of him. Character is what the man IS. Character is personal. It is not a possession we can share with someone else. We can give a hungry person part of our loaf of bread; we can divide our money with one who needs it; but character is something we cannot give away or transmit. The brave soldier cannot share his courage with the trembling recruit who fights by his side in the battle. The pure, gentle woman cannot give part of her purity and gentleness, to the defiled and hardened woman she meets. Character is our own — a part of our very being. It grows in us over the years. Acts repeated become habits, and character is made up in the long run, of those habits which have been repeated so often, that they become a permanent part of our lives. Sow a thought — and you will reap an act; sow an act — and you will reap a habit; sow a habit — and you will reap a character; sow character — and you will reap a destiny! As the tree falls — so must it lie; As the man lives — so must he die! As a man dies — such must he be; All through the ages of eternity! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Practical Kindness "Love must be sincere." Romans 12:9 Kindness must be practical — not merely emotional and sentimental. It will not be satisfied merely . . . with good wishes, with sympathetic words, or even with prayers. It should be put into some form that will do practical good. There are times when even prayer is a mockery. At times it is our duty to answer our own prayers, to be the messengers we ask God to send to help others. We are God's messengers, when we find ourselves in the presence of human needs and sorrows, which we can supply or comfort. Expressions of pity or sympathy are mockeries — when we do nothing to relieve the distress. "Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart." 1 Peter 1:22 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ God's clock! "What I am doing you do not understand now — but afterward you will understand." John 13:7 In divine providence, nothing comes a moment too soon or too late — but everything comes in its own complete time. God's clock is never too slow. Every link of the chain of God's providence, fits into its own place. We do not see God's hand at the time. Not until afterward, will you see that your disappointments, hardships, trials, and the wrongs inflicted on you by others — are parts of God's good providence toward you, and full of blessing. Not until afterward will you see it, but the "afterward" is secure to faithful followers of Christ. The "afterward" of every disappointment or sorrow — is blessing and good. We only need to learn to wait in patience for Him. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ We must test all our pleasures and amusements by this rule: "Lovers of pleasure — rather than lovers of God; having a form of godliness — but denying its power." 2 Timothy 3:4-5 Is the love of pleasure and amusement growing on you — gaining the power and authority over you? Is it dulling the keenness of your zest for spiritual pleasures? Is it making Bible study, prayer, communion with Christ, and meditation upon holy themes — less sweet enjoyments than they once were? Is it making your hunger for righteousness, and for God — less intense? Is it interfering with the comfort and blessing which you used to find in church services, or in Christ's work? If so, there is only one thing to do — hurry . . . to return to God, to abandon the pleasure or amusement which is imperiling your soul, and to find in Christ, the joy which the world cannot give, and which never harms any aspect of life. We must test all our pleasures and amusements by this rule: Are they helping us to grow into Christ-likeness and spiritual beauty? "All things are lawful — but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful — but not all things edify." 1 Corinthians 10:23 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Divine discontent! "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled!" Matthew 5:6 The ideal Christian life is one . . . of unquenchable thirst, of bottomless yearning, of divine discontent — wooed ever on by visions of holier living, higher joy, and new attainments. The trouble with too many of us, is that we are too satisfied with ourselves as we are. We have attained a small measure of peace, of holiness, of faith, of joy, of knowledge of Christ — and we are not hungering for the larger possible rewards. Pray for discontent with your spiritual state! With all the infinite possibilities of spiritual life before you, do not sit down on a little patch of dusty ground at the foot of the mountain, in restful contentment. Do not be content until you reach the mountain's summit! "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." Philippians 3:12 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Work for Christ Many people think that work for Christ must be something great or public. They imagine that to minister to Christ they must . . . teach a Sunday School class, or join a missionary society, or go out to visit sick people, or go into hospitals or prisons on missions of mercy. These are all beautiful and important ministries, and Christ wants some of you to do these things as well. But the very first place you are to serve Him, is in your own home! Let the blessed light of your life first be shed throughout that most sacred of all spots. Brightening that little place, you will be all the more ready to be a blessing outside. Those who are the best Christians at home — are also the best elsewhere. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Much of our best praying "Blessed be the LORD, because He has heard the voice of my supplications!" Psalm 28:6 Every thought that flies through your brain, is heard in Heaven. God hears . . . your wishes, the longings of your heart, your aspirations, and hunger of your soul. Do not grieve, then, if you cannot find words to tell God what you need, if you cannot put the hopes and hungers of your heart, into well-defined thoughts. When words and even thoughts fail, pray in silent yearnings, in unutterable longings — and God will understand just as well as if you spoke in ordinary language. Much of our best praying is done when we sit at God's feet and do not speak at all — but only let our hearts talk to God. "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life!" Psalm 139:23-24 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Make the minutes beautiful Scrupulous people are often laughed at. "Why be so particular? Why be so conscientious about mere trifles? Why be so exacting and punctual in doing small duties?" The answer is that in the matter of right and wrong — nothing is little; certainly nothing is insignificant. Duty is duty, whether it be the smallest, or the greatest task. You are on the highway to nobility of character, if you learn to be scrupulous concerning the smallest things. He who is careful in little things, rises a step higher every day. He who is faithful in little things, is then entrusted with larger responsibilities. It is the small segments in life which are most important. Look after the little things, and the greater aggregates will be right. Make the minutes beautiful — and the hours and days will be radiant. "Well done, good servant, because you have been faithful in a very little thing" Luke 19:17 "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" Matthew 25:23 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Earth's saddest failure "A bruised reed he will not break" Matthew 12:20 Christ is building His kingdom with earth's broken people. Men want only the strong, the successful, the victorious, the whole — in building their kingdoms. But God is the God of the unsuccessful, of those who have failed. Heaven is filled with earth's broken lives, and there is no bruised reed whom Christ cannot take and restore to glorious blessedness and beauty. He can take a life crushed by pain and sorrow — and make it into a harp whose music shall be all praise. He can lift earth's saddest failure up to Heaven's glory! "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ It makes no difference what a man believes, or what doctrines he holds "It makes no difference what a man believes, or what doctrines he holds — it is only his conduct that counts." That is the way some people talk, as they sneer at Bible doctrines. But it does matter what one believes. Wrong believing leads to wrong living. The heathen worships a god conceived of as lustful, cruel, and unholy. The Christian worships a God, who is revealed as holy, righteous, pure, and good, and becomes holy, righteous, pure, and good. Beliefs shape our lives. It is important, therefore, that we know the truths about the character and will of Christ, as our conception of Christ will imprint itself upon our life. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" Colossians 3:16 "He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." Titus 1:9 "You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine." Titus 2:1 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The shadow! "Shall we indeed accept good from God — and shall we not accept adversity?" Job 2:10 Shall we trust our Father only when our lives are filled with pleasant things — and then not trust Him also when a shadow falls over our hearts? Do you think that God is good — only when He makes all things please you? Our call is to trust God at all times — whether good or bad. For even if sorrow should enter our home, He is able, even in the midst of sorrow, to make our home-life sweeter, purer, and more Christ-like. If we trust in God, then the shadow will be as rich a blessing to us as the light; and the sorrow will be steps upward, on which our feet may climb Heavenward! "We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight!" Proverbs 3:5-6 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ How to pray in our own Gethsemanes "And being in agony — He prayed more earnestly!" Luke 22:44 This is the record of our Savior's Gethsemane experience. Like a bright lamp, this Scripture shines amid the olive trees of that garden — to show us the path to comfort in our time of sorrow. Never before nor since, has there been such grief as the Redeemer's that night — -but He found comfort in His prayer. His agony lessened as He prayed, until at last its bitterness was all gone — and sweet, blessed peace took its place. The 'gate of prayer' is one of comfort. There is no other place for true comfort and help. We learn from our Lord's Gethsemane agony — how to pray in our own Gethsemanes. God never blames us for asking to have the bitter cup removed, nor for the intensity of our prayers; but we must always pray with submission to His will. When we sincerely pray, "Not my will, but may Your will be done" — comfort comes, and then peace. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The Lord will provide! "You have not passed this way before!" Joshua 3:4 "Abraham named the place Jehovah-Jireh (which means 'the LORD will provide')" Genesis 22:14 As you begin meditating on this verse, write deep in your heart this word with the strongest confidence: Jehovah-Jireh. This name tells you . . . that you can trust God always; that no promise of His ever fails; that He does all things well; that out of all seeming loss and destruction of human hopes, He brings blessing. You have not passed this way before. There will be both sorrows and joys, both failures and successes. You cannot predict your future experiences. You cannot see the next step before your feet. Yet Jehovah-Jireh calls you to trust Him calmly. He bids you put away all anxieties and foreboding, because the Lord will provide! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Not what we HAVE or what we KNOW, but what we ARE! We must strive to realize every longing for holiness and Christlikeness, which our hearts seek. Remember that it is character alone, which is the test of true living. It is not knowledge; for knowledge will fail. It is not money; for money cannot be taken into the eternal world. It is not fame; for fame's laurels fade at the grave's edge. It is not culture, or education, or refinement either. It is our character alone — not what we HAVE or what we KNOW, but what we ARE — which we can carry with us into the eternal world. "He who is unjust — let him be unjust still; he who is filthy — let him be filthy still; he who is righteous — let him be righteous still; he who is holy — let him be holy still." Revelation 22:11 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Seeing through love's eyes "Love . . . thinks no evil, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians 13:5-7 Love does not suspect unkindness, in kind deeds. Love does not imagine an enemy, in every friend. Love does not fear insincerity, in sincere expressions of love. Love does not question one's motives, nor discount their acts. But love overlooks mistakes and hides human faults. It believes tries to think of others always at their best, not at their worst. It considers the best possibilities in people, what they may become through divine love and grace — and not merely what they now are. It is wonderful how seeing through love's eyes changes the whole view of earthly life, transforming it. If the heart is filled with suspicion, distrust, and doubts — the world grows very ugly. But love sees brightness, beauty, and hope everywhere! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The shadow of God's wings "How priceless is Your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of Your wings!" Psalm 36:7 Is there a grief in your heart, which grows into a nagging pain? Is there a hint of a coming sorrow that you see looming over you? Remember that it is the shadow of God's wings — and so it is safe to receive. Crawl closer under them. Earth has nothing so gentle as true mother-love; but God's wings that fold down over you, are gentler than even mother-love; and you can never get out from beneath them. They hold you close to the gentle heart of the divine Father. You need never be afraid while resting there. In all the universe, there is no harm that can come near you. From your eternal refuge, you can look out with confidence on the fury of earth's storms and be at peace. The wildest of them cannot touch you in your refuge! "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in You my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the disaster has passed." Psalm 57:1 "Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings" Psalm 17:8 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ If all people were angelic "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you — so you must love one another." John 13:34 "As I have loved you" means love which is sweet, fragrant, and gentle — to people who are rude and mean-spirited, selfish, and full of faults, with sharp corners and only partially sanctified lives. If all people were angelic, and you were too — it would not be hard to love everyone; but as other people are not yet angelic, you will still have need of patience, even if you are angelic yourself, which is quite doubtful. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The worst-tempered people "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23 The worst-tempered people may be made gentle and loving in all their words, acts, and dispositions — by the renewing and transforming power of divine grace. God can take the jangled keys and put them in tune — if we will only put them into His hand. But we must strive ourselves to be sweet-tempered. We must watch the rising anger — and quickly choke it back. We must keep down our ugly disposition. We must learn to control ourselves, our tempers, our feelings, our passions, and our tongues. We must seek to develop the gentle virtues — and crowd out the thorns! This discipline is not easy, but the lessons can be mastered. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ A powerful, silent, personal influence There is a powerful, silent, personal influence, like a shadow, which emanates from everyone — and this influence is always leaving results wherever it touches another person. You cannot live a day — and not touch some other life with this influence. Wherever you go, your shadow falls on others — and they are either better or worse for your presence. Our influence depends upon what we are — more than upon what we do. It is by living a beautiful life, that we bless the world. I do not underestimate good works. Good deeds must characterize every true life. But if your life itself is noble, beautiful, holy, Christlike, one that is itself a blessing and an inspiration — then the worth of your influence is multiplied many times! There is not a Christian who cannot preach sermons every day, at home and among neighbors and friends most eloquently — by the beauty of holiness in his or her own everyday life. Wherever a Christian goes — his life ought to be an inspiration. Our silent influence ought to touch other lives with blessing. People ought to feel stronger, happier, and more uplifted — after meeting us. Our very faces ought to shed light, shining like holy lamps into sad, weary hearts. Our lives ought to be blessings to repair human sorrow and need all around us. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Building monuments to yourself "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit" Philippians 2:3 No grace shines more brightly in a Christian, than humility. Wherever SELF comes in — it mars the beauty of the work we are doing. Seek to do your work quietly. Do not try to draw attention to yourself, to make people know that you did this or that beautiful thing. Be content to pour your rich life into other wasted, weary lives, and see them blessed and made more holy — and then withdraw and let Christ have the honor. Work for God's approval, and even then, do not think much about reward. Seek to be a blessing to others — and never think of self-advancement. Do not worry about credit for your work, or about building monuments to yourself; be content to do good in Christ's name. "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved — clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12 "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another" 1 Peter 5:5 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Two men look at the same scene: "Be joyful always!" 1 Thessalonians 5:16 "In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy!" 2 Corinthians 7:4 Thankfulness or unthankfulness is largely a matter of the attitude of our heart. Two men look at the same scene: one sees the defects and the imperfections; the other sees the beauty and the brightness. If you cannot find things to be thankful for today, and every day — the fault is in yourself, and you ought to pray for a changed heart — a heart to see God's goodness and to praise Him. A joyful heart transfigures all the world around us! It finds something to be thankful for in the barest circumstances, even in the dark night of the soul. Let us train ourselves to see the beauty and the goodness in God's world, and in our own circumstances — and then we shall stop grumbling, and be content and thankful in all situations. "A happy heart makes the face cheerful!" Proverbs 15:13 "The cheerful heart has a continual feast!" Proverbs 15:15 "A cheerful heart is good medicine — but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Have a dart ready to draw and hurl at our adversary! "Jesus answered: It is written . . . " Matthew 4:4 We must all meet temptation. The tempter comes so suddenly and so secretively, that if we cannot instantly repel his assault, we shall be defeated. There is nothing like texts of Scripture hidden in the heart, to drive Satan away. We need to have our quiver full of these polished shafts, these invincible darts, and to keep them ever ready to shoot on a moment's notice, and to hurl at our enemy. The only way to do this, is to make the Word of God our daily study, storing in our memory . . . its precious texts, its counsels, its promises, and its warnings. Then we shall never be surprised, unprepared or defenseless — but for every temptation, shall have a dart ready to draw and hurl at our adversary! "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ An unreached goal in this life "She has done what she could!" Mark 14:8 No one can do all that he knows he ought to do, or that he wants to do. Yet when we have done our duty, faithfully and earnestly, according to the light and the wisdom given to us — we should not regret afterwards, if it appears that we might have done things with more wisdom or with greater skill. We cannot get the benefits of experience, until we have already gone through the experience. We cannot have an elder's ripe wisdom, in the days of our youth. We are able to see when a day is done, how we might have lived it better. We should bring to every hour's work — our finest skill, our best wisdom, our purest strength — and then feel no regret, even if it does not seem well done. Perfection is always an unreached goal in this life. Duty is always too large for us. We can never do more than a portion of it. "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect — but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14 "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things — I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord!" Matthew 25:23 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ No one gets the crown — without the conflict! "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God!" Revelation 2:7 The daily temptations which make every true life such a painful conflict from beginning to end — bring us constant opportunities for growth of character. To struggle — is to grow strong. The soldier's art can be learned, and the soldier's honors can be won — only on the field of battle. If you would grow into the beauty of the Master, you must accept the conflicts, and fight the battles. You can live easy if you will, by declining every struggle — but you will then get little out of life which is truly noble and worthy. The best things all come after the battle — you must fight your way across the field to get them. Heaven is only for those who overcome. No one gets the crown — without the conflict! "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne!" Revelation 3:21 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ A Beautiful Life! "She has done what she could!" Mark 14:8 "Moreover it is required in stewards, that one be found faithful." 1 Corinthians 4:2 A life does not need to be great, to be beautiful. There may be as much beauty . . . in a tiny flower — as in a majestic tree; in a little gem — as in a great mountain; in the smallest creature — as in a massive one. A life may be very lovely in God's eyes — and yet be insignificant in the world's eyes. A beautiful life fulfills its mission in this world, and is what God made it to be, doing what God created it to do. Those with only common gifts, are in danger of thinking that they cannot live a beautiful life, and cannot be a blessing in this world. But the most obscure life which fills its place well, is far lovelier in God's sight, than the grandest and most splendidly gifted life which fails in its divine mission. "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31 "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things — I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord!" Matthew 25:23 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ How slowly we learn it! "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you — so you must love one another." John 13:34-35 How did Christ love His disciples? How did He demonstrate His love to them? Was it not, among other ways . . . in His wonderful patience with them — with their faults, their ignorance, their unfaithfulness; in His considerate kindness; in His ever-watchful thoughtfulness; in His compassionate gentleness; in His ministering to them in every possible way? What is it, then, to love one another, as He loves us? Is it not to take His example for our pattern? But how slowly we learn it! How hard it is to be gentle, patient, kind, thoughtful, even perfectly true and just, to one another! Still, the lesson stands and waits for us, and we must never falter in learning it. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The light, the joy, the blessing, the inspiration of a home! Home is the true wife's kingdom. There, first of all places, she must be strong and godly. She may touch life outside in many ways — if she can do it without slighting the duties that are hers within her own doors. But if any calls for her service must be declined, they should not be the duties of her home. These are hers, and no other one's. Very largely does the wife hold in her hands, as a sacred trust, the happiness and the highest good of the hearts that nestle there. The best husband — the truest, the noblest, the gentlest, the richest-hearted — cannot make his home happy — if his wife is not, in every reasonable sense, a helpmate to him.

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Christlike Living in a Sinful World

J.R. Miller

J.R. Miller (1840 - 1912)

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