Be Christlike by Charles Spurgeon

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 4, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 46.

Be Christlike.

By Charles Spurgeon

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 a striking likeness of him that the world would not have to hold us up by the hour and say, "Well it seems somewhat of a likeness;" but they would, when they once behold 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 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, ever 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 even go about doing good. Let no time be wasted; it is too precious. Was he self-denying, never looking to his own interests? Be the same. Was he devout? Be you fervent in your prayers. Had he deference to his father's will? So submit yourself 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, in all your ways, and by all ways and means so live that all may say of you, "He has been with Jesus." Remember his words, "Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart."—Spurgeon.