“WHO HAS SEEN CHRIST IN YOU TO-DAY.”
By Mrs. M. C. DuBois
The minister asked a startling question this evening,” said Mr. Adams, to his wife, Ruth, on his return from church one Sabbath. “Who has seen Christ in you to-day?” I wish you had been there to hear him, Ruth; he made it pretty plain that all who have Christ ought to show by their daily living that they are in earnest, and really believe what they profess.” “That is true, Roland; I know I often fall short of what a Christian should be.” “The coat fitted me too, I assure you; for I confess you and the children have not seen Christ in me to-day in every word and act. If I had remembered to be like Christ, I would not have been so cross to you this morning because I could not find the lesson quarterly.” “And I should not have snapped you up and been vexed,” said Ruth. “Then I spoke roughly to Willie, because he worried me, and when he cried, I boxed his ears soundly, when a kind word would have made it all right. There are many things I should have done even to-day if I had acted up to the minister’s question.” “We will try to begin anew, Roland. You are quick, and I am touchy. We both need more of the Christ spirit in our daily living. I notice the children are catching the same sharp spirit toward each other. Let us pray that our children, our friends, and our neighbors may see Christ in us day by day henceforth.” “Amen. God being our helper, let us strive hereafter to live so others may see Christ in our daily, yes hourly, living.” How is it with us, dear reader? Let us ask ourselves the question in all earnestness. Who has seen Christ in our walk and conversation to-day? This morning ere you commenced the labor of the day, did you bow before God and ask that your life might reflect Christ in every word and deed? or were you in such haste, you had no time to talk a little while with Jesus, and so started out in your own strength? If so, Christ has not been seen in you to-day. O, if we could always remember that we who profess to be Christians stand before the world as Christ’s representatives, would we not be more careful than we oftentimes are? Do we represent Jesus in His true character? Alas! I fear we do not. Too often we get into the same temper, and use the same sharp words, and do the same actions as do persons of the world, and thus we bring a sad reproach on Jesus, whom we profess to love with all our hearts. How may Christ be seen in us?—In what we do and say. If Christ does not shine through this, if those around us can not see Christ in our daily living, He does not abide in the heart, no matter how great the profession we make. If Christ abide not in the heart, He surely can not be seen in our lives. If we fret, find fault, and complain, we are not representing Christ. Jesus did not fret, He never gave way to angry passion; He “did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth.” If we indulge in trifling talk, use slang expressions, Christ is not seen in our conversation. We can be joyful, cheerful, but let no foolish jesting fall from the lips of those who profess to represent Christ. If we are not true representatives of Jesus in the home, our children know it, for it is there we act out our true selves. If precept is one thing, and example something else, the children are quick to see it. Be very careful fathers, mothers, to represent Christ as He is before your little ones. How often is the cause of God reproached by our careless way of living, both in the home and out. The love of Jesus does not fill the heart; hence the “crooked paths” we hear many professed Christians confess having made. We may never get so perfect in wisdom and knowledge in this life that we will not err in judgment nor make mistakes; but praise God, we can be made perfect in love to Jesus, and perfect in submission to the divine will; then the likeness of Christ will be seen in our daily walk and conversation; God’s wondrous love will be our theme. “Jesus is coming again,” will be the key-note of our song. O, let us arouse, and awake yet more fully to a realization that the day of time is far spent, and there yet remains much to do ere the sun sets. Let us seek to live so that Christ may be seen in us as a perfect Saviour. The grace of God is sufficient to keep us from sin, under the most trying conflicts of daily life. If Christ is in us, He will be seen “in every thought and action,” and we will be true witnesses for the King of heaven. Grand Ledge, Mich. Mrs. M. C. DuBois.