二月十一日
认明他们是跟过耶稣的。（徒4:13）
基督徒是耶稣基督的肖像。你曾念过基督的传记，写得既优美又流利的传记，但基督最好的传记是他的活传记，乃是属他之人的言行所写出来的。若是我们怎样信就怎样作人，应当怎样就怎样的话，我们就是基督的像了；我们若这样完全像他，世人连一时也不能容我们了，他们心里说：“真像呀！”当他们看到的时候，必说：“他曾跟过耶稣，曾受过他的教，他的言行表现出他完全接受了耶稣的观念。”基督徒要像基督那样勇毅。不要为你所信的感到赧然；不要羞辱了你所承认的：要留心，永也不要羞辱你所承认的，要像耶稣一样果敢地服侍神。要在爱人的精神上效法他啊。思想要本乎仁爱之心，说话要出于仁爱之心，行事也要有仁爱之心，好叫人说：“他是跟过耶稣的。”要效法耶稣的圣洁。他曾以父的事为念吗？他曾为神大发热心吗？你也要这样，要不住地行神所看为善的事。他能舍己吗？他是从不顾到自己的利益吗？你也要这样行。他虔诚吗？你也要热切地祷告。他曾违背过父的旨意吗？你也要这样顺服他。他忍耐吗？所以要学着忍耐。而最好的，最像耶稣的，像他一样，是赦免你的仇敌。听你的主所说的话吧：“父啊，赦免他们！因为他们所作的，他们不晓得。”让这话永远萦绕在你耳中！要饶恕人，正像你盼望被饶恕一样。要因你善待仇敌而把炭火堆在他的头上。要以德报怨，要以善待恶，记住，你是像神的。要像神，要尽心尽力，在凡事上使你的生活叫看到的人能说：“他是跟过耶稣的。”
February
11
“And
they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” –Acts 4:13
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.”
