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A Christian should strive to be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ, imitating His boldness, loving spirit, and holiness in their daily life.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that Christians should embody a striking likeness of Jesus Christ, serving as living biographies of Him through their words and actions. He encourages believers to boldly profess their faith, imitate Christ's loving spirit, and demonstrate holiness in their daily lives. Spurgeon highlights the importance of being zealous for God, self-denying, fervent in prayer, and patient, while also urging Christians to forgive their enemies as Christ did. The ultimate goal is for others to recognize that they have been with Jesus by observing their Christ-like behavior. This call to action serves as a reminder of the transformative power of living out one's faith authentically.
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A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ. You have read lives of 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, and what we should be, we should be pictures of Christ; yea, such striking likenesses of Him, that the world would not have to hold us up by the hour together, and say, "Well, it seems somewhat of a likeness;" but they would, when they once beheld us, exclaim, "He has been with Jesus; he has been taught of Him; he is like Him; he has caught the very idea of the holy Man of Nazareth, and he works it out in his life and every-day actions."
A Christian should be like Christ in his boldness. Never blush to own your religion; your profession will never disgrace you: take care you never disgrace that. 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 be you; ever go about doing good. Let not time be wasted: it is too precious. Was He self-denying, never looking to His own interest?
Be the same. Was He devout? Be you fervent in your prayers. Had He deference to His Father's will? So submit yourselves to Him. Was He patient? So learn to endure. And best of all, as the highest portraiture of Jesus, try to forgive your enemies, as He did; and 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 foe by your kindness to him. Good for evil, recollect, is godlike. Be godlike, then; and in all ways and by all means, so live that all may say of you, "He has been with Jesus."
Sermon Outline
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A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ
- Be a picture of Christ in words and actions
- Be bold and unashamed in your profession of faith
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Imitate Jesus in His boldness
- Be valiant for your God
- Never blush to own your religion
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Imitate Jesus in His loving spirit
- Think kindly, speak kindly, and do kindly
- Let your actions be a testament to your faith
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Imitate Jesus in His holiness
- Be zealous for your Master
- Submit to God's will and be patient
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Forgive your enemies, as Jesus did
- Heap coals of fire on the head of your foe
- Be godlike and live a life that reflects your faith
Key Quotes
“The best life of Christ is His living biography, written out in the words and actions of His people.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Heap coals of fire on the head of your foe by your kindness to him.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Be godlike, then; and in all ways and by all means, so live that all may say of you, 'He has been with Jesus'.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Be bold and unashamed in your profession of faith, and let your actions speak louder than words.
- Imitate Jesus in your loving spirit by thinking kindly, speaking kindly, and doing kindly.
- Forgive your enemies, as Jesus did, and let those sublime words of your Master always ring in your ears.