Our Conception of Christian Life
by J. R. Miller Let this mind be in
you which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2.5 Paul tells
us that we ought to have the same spirit as Jesus, the same
temper and disposition as Jesus, and the same principles as Jesus. The life of Christ must be the
pattern of our lives. We can learn what were the qualities
of Christ's life by a study of the Gospels, These precious books
not only tell us about Christ, of the facts of His life, the
works He did, the words He spoke, they also show us His sympathy,
His kindness, His helpfulness, how He lived, how He interacted
with people, how He bore enmity, unkindness, and persecution. Perhaps we do not think enough
of Christ's beauty of character and disposition in forming our
conception of Christian life. It is one thing to profess to
be a Christian, and another thing to grow into the loveliness of
Christ. One may be altogether sincere
in confessing Christ, and yet be full of faults, only a beginner,
having everything of Christian duty yet to learn, and all the
beautiful qualities of Christian character yet to acquire. Whoever claims to live in Him
must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2.6