"We must be all conscious that we imitate those whom we admire. Love has a strange influence over our nature, to mould it into the form beloved. A true disciple is like clay on the wheel, and his Master fashions him after his own image. We may be scarcely conscious of it, but we are most surely being conformed to the likeness of those to whose influence we submit ourselves.
"Whoever then your Master may be, dear friend, you are changing into his image: if you choose to be led by the votary of pleasure, you will become more and more frivolous; if you admire the slave of avarice, you will become avaricious, if you feel the sway of the minion of vice, you will grow vicious yourself. If a man who despises the word of God becomes your hero, you will ere long despise it too: while men are gazing upon him with admiration, a kind of photography is going on, and you, like a sensitive plate, receive his image. I charge you, therefore, to be careful who becomes your guide."I need to preach this to myself daily. Every influence I submit myself to should be intentional, so as to refine my character and labor for Christ's fame. Though I deem the influence to which I submit myself is mostly aware of sin and worshipful of Jesus, I need to constantly check myself. Am I actually worshipping Jesus? Or am I worshipping someone(s) who love Him?
I am extremely apt to people please and therefore need to ensure that I am aiming to please and give glory to the Giver of Life, not another person.
Jesus is my treasure, my hope, and my rock. He died for me; He took my place--no one else did that. Submitting to church authority and seeking wise council is a part of submitting to God, but I need to remind myself that Jesus pursued me before anyone else did. I need to study Him before I can study another's thoughts.
He is the perfect example of fulfilling the law; no other person has done or will ever do this.
My life is hid with Him; I will give an account to Him and Him alone.
No comments:
Post a Comment