Earlier today on Bellshill Salvation Army Band’s Facebook page I shared some devotions. I’d like to share those devotions with you tonight.
We’re often told we must be the “image of Christ”. It can be hard sometimes to believe that that applies to each of us, as we all look different, we live different lives, have different jobs, we move in different friendship circles etc. However being the the “image of Christ” isn’t about what or who we look like, but is about the kind of person we are, how we act in every situation and what we say to both our friends and our enemies. In other words it’s about how we live our lives.
The following quote confirms how we should live our lives.
To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.
G. K. Chesterton
These directions are also backed up in the bible in Romans 12:9-10.
Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
Romans 12:9-10 (The Message)
To be considered to be Christ-like, we must, love everyone, including those who are considered to be unloveable. I’m sure you’ll agree that it can be very difficult sometimes to love the unloveable, and sometimes, because of situations that occur, it can even be very difficult to love those we love too.
We must seek God’s help to guide and support us through live, so we can be more like Christ. We must let God not just be part of our lives but fill our lives, so He is in everything we do. That in itself can be hard when we try to ‘get through life’ on our own, and forget that God needs to be in every part of our life.
The words of the song ‘Christ In Me’ reinforce these thoughts today.
Christ of Glory, Prince of Peace
Let thy life in mine increase
Though I live may it be shown
Tis thy life and not my own
Dwell within that men may see
Christ in me
Christ the living Christ in me
Answer now my soul's desire
Purge my heart with holy fire
Soothe the hurt with gentle balm
Breathe within my life thy charm
Fill me now so shall there be
Christ in me
Christ the holy Christ in me
Gracious Lord thy grace apply
Both to save and sanctify
All my life wilt thou control
Calmly ordering the whole
That the world my ever see
Christ in me
Christ and only Christ in me
The Distinct Dot 