Spurgeon: May AM
* 05/17/AM
"So to walk even as He walked."
--1 John 2:6
Why should Christians imitate Christ? They should do it for
their own sakes . If they desire to be in a healthy state of
soul--if they would escape the sickness of sin, and enjoy the
vigour of growing grace, let Jesus be their model. For their own
happiness' sake, if they would drink wine on the lees, well
refined; if they would enjoy holy and happy communion with
Jesus; if they would be lifted up above the cares and troubles
of this world, let them walk even as He walked. There is nothing
which can so assist you to walk towards heaven with good speed,
as wearing the image of Jesus on your heart to rule all its
motions. It is when, by the power of the Holy Spirit, you are
enabled to walk with Jesus in His very footsteps, that you are
most happy, and most known to be the sons of God. Peter afar
off is both unsafe and uneasy. Next, for religion's sake ,
strive to be like Jesus. Ah! poor religion, thou hast been
sorely shot at by cruel foes, but thou hast not been wounded
one-half so dangerously by thy foes as by thy friends. Who made
those wounds in the fair hand of Godliness? The professor who
used the dagger of hypocrisy. The man who with pretences,
enters the fold, being nought but a wolf in sheep's clothing,
worries the flock more than the lion outside. There is no weapon
half so deadly as a Judas-kiss. Inconsistent professors injure
the gospel more than the sneering critic or the infidel. But,
especially for Christ's own sake , imitate His example.
Christian, lovest thou thy Saviour? Is His name precious to
thee? Is His cause dear to thee? Wouldst thou see the kingdoms
of the world become His? Is it thy desire that He should be
glorified? Art thou longing that souls should be won to Him? If
so, imitate Jesus; be an "epistle of Christ, known and read of
all men."