IS THIS LIKE JESUS ? by M. J. COTTRELL

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 5, 1869

IS THIS LIKE JESUS ?

By M. J. COTTRELL

My youthful, Christian friends, would it not be well for us to ask ourselves this question quite often? To be a Christian, is to be Christ-like, to act as Christ has acted before us. Now there are many little things in which we have no direct example, no explicit precept; still enough is given us, in general, both in example and precept, to show us what is Christ-like and what is not. And if we would not bear the name of Christian in vain, we must be very careful to avoid all things that are unlike Christ. This question, Is this like Jesus, has come home to my heart to-night with a power which I hope will make a lasting impression. I see daily many things about myself that are unlike Jesus, and sometimes I seem hedged in with darkness, doubts, and fears, on the account; but I am resolved to make a desperate effort to resist every temptation to do anything unlike Jesus. I will try to keep this question before my mind, and seek to do only those things which will make me like Jesus. Make me like Jesus! My mind seems startled, as though the idea were new. It is not, however; it is as old as the plan of salvation. Yes, we must become like Jesus, if we would enter Heaven; and it will be well for us to remember that this is not a work to be wrought instantaneously, by the power of God, but a work for us to do by littles, every day, with painful, it may be at times, yet persevering, effort. If thus we strive, watching, working, and praying, God's grace will be our all-sufficient aid, until the work is complete, and we become like Jesus.

M. J. COTTRELL.